2023 Carhartt Venture Top Branch
A Chardonnay to unite the people. Not ‘over-oaked’, yet maintaining an inviting balance between acidity and mouthfeel.
Wine ships only to states where the winery is licensed; an adult 21+ must sign on delivery. Pickup at the Carhartt Cabin is available. Demo cart only — buy on the official shop.
- Vintage
- 2023
- Appellation / source
- Santa Maria Valley
- Size
- 750 ml
- Alcohol
- 13.8%
- Vineyard
- Rancho Real Vineyard
- Ageing
- 12 months
- Barrels
- 5
- Availability
- Available
Composition: 100% Chardonnay (Clone Robert Young)
Nose (aromas): golden apple, yuzu, ginger blossom
Flavor (palate): crisp pear, citrus meringue, chalky minerality
Winemaker's Notes: The 2023 is one of my favorite vintages to date. Coastal Chardonnay finds its place with this textured, fresh, and layered wine. A vegetarian partner could be charred leeks with a lemon vinaigrette and charred almonds, or keep it simple with your favorite herbed goat cheese, a little lemon zest, and crackers. If you want to step it up, try Halibut or Petrale Sole Meunièr: brown butter lemon juice, and parsley. For meat protein, try a herb roasted chicken with meyer lemon and fennel. Enjoy!
Aging Potential: Now - 2030+
Additional Info: Fermented and aged in 65% neutral oak and 35% stainless barrels. Drink chilled, but do let the wine open up in the glass for a few minutes in order to release its beautiful aromas.
"The 2023 Top Branch Chardonnay is one of my favorites to date. Part of that feeling is rooted in the fact that we had a cooler vintage overall, which allowed the fruit to slowly mature on the vine. That translated into a wine with incredible maturity as far as aromatics and flavors are concerned, while also maintaining great natural acidity. It will be a year in bottle in August of 2025, which is just enough time to relax and show itself. That being said, do not be afraid to lay this wine down for a bit as this is one of the few whites we make that can benefit from additional years aging! "
- CHASE CARHARTT, CO-WINEMAKER
