2022 Chardonnay Carex
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Tasting notes
From the O’Connell vineyard. Planted in 2004 with Wente clones. The site is below the fog line. Less structure and confidence than Trout Gulch, but pacey and delicate. Filigree texture. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Ceritas focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir farmed along biodynamic lines and sourced throughout the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley. The most expensive wine in the tasting – from Tanners! (They are rather proud of and surprised by this!). Very pale straw. A bit tight and ungenerous. In California, this probably looks wonderfully ‘restrained’ but in an international context I’m afraid it looks just a bit mean. (JR)
The 2022 Chardonnay Carex comes from a slightly colder vineyard than TBH and takes a silver/yellow hue in the glass. On opening, it reveals lovely, savory aromatics of candle wax, fresh apple, lemon balm, and crushed stone. Medium-bodied, it’s fantastic on the palate, with notes of rocky earth, a great mineral texture, fresh, mouthwatering lift, and great length. Drink it over the coming 12 or so years.
About the producer
Created in 2005 by John Raytek, Ceritas is one of California’s most exciting producers. The project is focused on making single-site wines from Northern California’s coastal regions, largely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.