Evening Land Seven Springs Chardonnay 2023 (750ML)

A pale straw color and the faintest prickle of spritz set the tone for Evening Land’s Seven Springs Chardonnay: restrained oak, plenty of energy. The 2023 draws on rows of varying vine age from across the Eola-Amity Hills vineyard rather than a single block. Pressed for moderate juice yields and briefly settled, it ferments in barrel without added yeast at ambient temperature, goes through full malolactic, and is kept in a reductive state throughout élevage. That handling shows in a flinty, lightly smoky nose over Meyer lemon, Asian pear and Golden Delicious apple, with white flowers and a salted-pastry note. The palate has real texture, lemon-curd richness balanced by a savory, crisp finish, at a moderate 13.3% alcohol. Production ran to 2,750 cases, and critics see it drinking well through 2032. Seared scallops, Dungeness crab, tarragon roast chicken and a Gruyère tart are all good matches.