The 2022 Cattleya Beyond the Threshold Chardonnay is a distinguished white wine produced in the Sonoma Coast appellation of California. This vintage reflects the region's reputation for producing vibrant and complex Chardonnays. Sourced from the Sun Chase Vineyard, the wine benefits from the vineyard's location in the Petaluma Gap, known for its bright acidity.
Jeb Dunnuck highlights the wine's "zesty and fresh" character, awarding it an impressive score of 96. He notes its "focused notes of lemon verbena, green apple, flint, crushed stone, and lime blossoms," praising its linear feel and long finish. This review underscores the wine's potential for enjoyment over the next decade.
Vinous also offers high praise, scoring it 95 and describing the Chardonnay as "deeply fruited, powerful and broad," with a "unique, engaging bouquet" that includes "white smoke, peach, oyster shell, and pineapple." The review commends the wine's mineral tension and complexity, suggesting it will age gracefully.
James Suckling awards the wine a score of 94, noting its "impressively structured, tensile and lively" nature. He describes flavors of "baking spices, vanilla bean, citrus zest and lemon meringue," appreciating its breadth, depth, and lingering finish.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gives the wine a score of 91, noting its maturation in 75% new French oak for 16 months. The review highlights "flinty tones" and "scents of apricot, jasmine, allspice and panna cotta," with a "medium-bodied palate" and "energetic acidity."
Wine Spectator, with a score of 92, describes the wine as "intense and vibrant," with a "mouthwatering mix of lemon sorbet, yuzu and pear." The review emphasizes the wine's "laser beam focus" of acidity and fruit.
Overall, the 2022 Cattleya Beyond the Threshold Chardonnay is a testament to the quality and elegance of California Chardonnays, offering complexity, vibrant acidity, and a promising future.