Matthiasson Linda Vista Chardonnay 2021

For Matthiasson, winemaking is a natural extension of farming. Steve and Jill have both gained experience working for many years in the sustainable agriculture and local food movement, and in 2003 they founded their winery based on those values. Their wines are classical expressions of different grape varieties, some well-known like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and some rare like Ribolla Gialla and Refosco. The wines are refreshing, complement food, and are moderate in alcohol.

This is the latest edition of their much-loved Chardonnay, a true favourite among the collection. Crafted from meticulously tended organic vines that thrive just behind their Napa residence. In pursuit of complexity, entirety, and equilibrium, they adopt a time-honoured technique—harvesting the fruit multiple times across the maturation phase. The initial harvests contribute vivacious acidity and subtle mineral nuances, while the subsequent harvests imbue the wine with substance and opulence. All grapes undergo a gentle whole-cluster pressing process before undergoing fermentation and ageing in seasoned French oak barrels, a process facilitated solely by indigenous yeasts. There is no lees stirring or racking. Malolactic fermentation is allowed to take place in forty percent of the barrels.

Aromas of Golden Delicious apples, yellow peaches, melon, and a delicate hint of honey. These notes beautifully transition to the palate, maintaining their presence. The wine boasts a medium acidity which harmoniously coexists with a pleasingly supple texture, culminating in an impeccably clean finish with a touch of mineral undertones.