Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay 2023
(Napa Valley, California) - [VM 91]

 About the Winery:
Nestled in the Mayacamas Mountains between St. Helena and Santa Rosa, the picturesque 235 acre estate of Pride Mountain it Vineyards sprawls across Spring Mountain at roughly 2,100 feet, six miles up a winding, narrow road above St. Helena. 

Pride Mountain Vineyards sits high atop Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain, at the site of the historic Summit Ranch, where wine grapes have been grown since 1885. 

Their first wine was produced in 1991. The winery produces unique wines in contrast to those made in the neighboring valleys. The vineyards are set above the fog line, which enables the grapes to be exposed to California's hot sun from dawn to dusk. 

With primarily south-facing exposures, the mountain has become a bit too warm to grow Chardonnay outside of one shaded parcel by the ruins. Steve Pride and winemaker, Sally Johnson, have developed partnerships in the cooler areas of Napa, enabling us to produce a style of Chardonnay that embraces the finesse for which our wines are known. 

Tasting Notes:
The pretty flavors are dominated by quince and Bosc pear with nuances of beeswax, marjoram and gardenia adding intrigue and a lovely minerality persisting throughout. A pleasing tension between viscosity and acidity plays out on the palate with the bright acidity emerging triumphant. This flavorful, fresh, balanced wine represents everything they are aiming for in chardonnay at Pride Mountain Vineyards.

Ratings & Reviews:

91 Points - Vinous:
The 2023 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) is bright, focused and quite steely in this vintage. White pepper, mint, sage and crushed rocks meld into a core of vibrant citrus-driven fruit. This is an especially focused style for Pride, largely the result of the year.

93 Points - The Wine Independent (2022 vintage):
The 2022 Chardonnay has delicately played, soft-spoken scents of apple butter, lemongrass, and persimmons with hints of sea spray, marzipan, and beeswax. The medium to full-bodied palate is elegant and refreshing, with a silky texture and a pure, citrusy lift on the finish.