Winemaker Notes
In appearance, this wine displays a pale straw hue framed by an opalescent green. Aromas of Honeycrisp apple and Asian pear open to a rich note of Meyer lemon curd with a hint of honeysuckle. The palate delivers balance between light creaminess and energetic tension. Opulent flavors of baked apple, vanilla bean, and crème brûlée complemented by a distinct mineral-like texture linger with a note of brioche on the finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Chardonnay Edward James Estate was named after Paul’s grandparents on his father’s side and originates in a vineyard planted entirely to Hyde Wente clone of Chardonnay. It was raised in French oak for 18 months on the lees. In the glass, it’s highly expressive and layered with aromas of toasted spice, incense, honeysuckle, quince, and preserved citrus. Medium to full-bodied, it has a fantastic, long, supple texture with a linear, crystalline feel, great, evenly fresh acidity, and a salty, mouthwatering finish. This is my favorite of the white wines at this tasting. Drink 2025-2037.
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James Suckling
A dense and layered white with sliced apples, pie crust and some pineapple. It’s full-bodied yet so savory and flavorful, with hints of cedar at the end. So much flavor and intensity. A rather boisterous chardonnay that gives you so much but remains fresh and focused. Drinkable now, but better in three or four years.
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Wine Spectator
A complex, bold expression, with fresh flavors of pear, apple and Meyer lemon alongside details of spices, vanilla and toasted brioche. There's a compelling mix of rich notes of marmalade and candied ginger as well as sleek, fresh acidity and crisp fruit flavors.
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Vinous
The 2022 Chardonnay Edward James Estate is laced with apricot, white peach, mint, slate and white pepper. Aromatic and also beautifully layered, the 2022 offers terrific depth and complexity.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Matured for 18 months in 38% new French oak, the 2022 Chardonnay Edward James Estate has alluring scents of apple pie and honey. The medium-bodied palate is luxuriously satiny and flavorful. It’s balanced by refreshing acidity and has a long, flavorful finish streaked with spice.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.