Donelan Nancie Chardonnay 2017 – 750ml Not specified

94pts Jeb Dunnuck

There are just under 500 cases of the 2017 Chardonnay Nancie, a rich, full-bodied effort that has ample white currants, toasted hazelnuts, white flowers, and brioche aromas and flavors. It’s a powerful, textured wine, yet it has a vibrant core of acidity, beautiful balance, and a great finish.

93pts Wine Enthusiast

A blend sourced from four vineyards, including old vines from Farina Vineyard on Sonoma Mountain, this impressive white is complex and structured. A floral opening of jasmine and ginger leads to a lengthy fruit component of red apple and peach, the oak neutral and the finish fresh in acidity.

92pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

The 2017 Chardonnay Nancie was barrel fermented and aged in 20% new oak for 11 months. The nose opens with aromas of spring honey, white peaches, dried hay and red apple skin with touches of lemon cream and toasted hazelnut—very pretty! It’s medium-bodied with a creamy texture countered by refreshing acidity, with delicate citrus and stone fruit notes and a long, clean finish.

Winemaker Notes

On the nose, the 2017 Nancie Chardonnay opens with nutmeg, ginger snap, and chai spice leading to high-tone fruit — red apple skin, orange blossom, orchard fruit, and green pineapple. Judicious acidity makes this a great candidate for pairing with food. It is very fresh on the palate, engaging, and invigorating. It has quite a finish for Chardonnay. This is a stand alone wine among its peers, with one foot in California, and one foot in the old world.