Ernest Vineyards Joyce Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 (750ML)

97 Points, Ana Carolina Quintela, Decanter: "There is a sense of momentum with the Joyce Chardonnay; the 2023 repeats the elegance of its past vintage but brings an even more impressive energy, thanks to a cold, late-ripening season that kept the fruit on the vine until the end of October. Grown in the region's iconic, powdery Goldridge soils with direct coastal influence, and surrounded by redwoods and wild pennyroyal, the wine’s environment clearly shows in its aromatics. A distinct saltiness hits the nose first, followed by richer notes of wildflower honey, crisp apples, and Meyer lemons that also run through the palate. This balance is a result of winemaking decisions that start with a hard press of the clusters to incorporate more solids, a move that builds a deep, physical structure and manages pH enough to hold up the acidity levels of this marginal site. The wine then spends 20 months in puncheons (one-third new French oak) before moving to stainless steel for six weeks to settle before bottling. This is a wine that has weight and texture but doesn't feel heavy, finishing with a persistent saline snap, a clean lift, and a cooling herbal edge. Truly delicious." 11/25