Bottled in March 2022, the 2020 Chardonnay Ma Douce kicks off with gregarious notes of creme caramel, baked pears, and passion fruit, plus suggestions of cedar chest and spice cake. The medium to full-bodied palate has a spritely backbone of acidity cutting through the rich, oily fruit, finishing long and opulent. Ma Douce comes from a vineyard at 1300-1500 feet elevation in Fort Ross-Seaview, not far from Marcassin Vineyard, planted mainly to the Old Wente clone selection. 500 cases were made.

From a vineyard in the Fort Ross-Seaview area—on the second ridge inland from the ocean, at about 1300-1400 feet above sea level, the 2020 Chardonnay Ma Douce was barrel fermented using indigenous yeasts in about 25% new French oak. Scents of pastry crust accent nectarine and citrus fruit on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is bright, vibrant and crisp, with a lingering finish.