The 2022 Chardonnay Ma Princesse comes from several south-facing sites in the Russian River Valley and was made entirely from old Wente clones of Chardonnay. In the glass, it opens to notes of flint that give way to more opulent ripe white peach fruit, lemon oils, and beeswax. Full-bodied and persistent, with more richness and concentration underneath in this vintage, it has a richer texture but a very long finish as well, with lasting notes of toasted incense. Drink 2025-2040. 300 cases were produced.

(96-98+ points) The 2022 Chardonnay Ma Princesse, picked before the heat event, was tasted as a barrel sample 2-3 weeks before bottling. It bursts on the scene with flamboyant notes of Golden Delicious apples, juicy pears, and spice cake followed by nuances of aniseed, candied ginger, and coriander seed. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly knit with expressive apple and pear layers and loads of spicy sparks, framed by a lively backbone and satiny texture, finishing long with a real skip in its step.

Like all of Morlet's Chardonnays, the 2022 Chardonnay Ma Princesse is barrel fermented using indigenous yeasts and malolactic bacteria, and this vintage saw approximately 40% new French oak. It's slightly cloudy in the glass, with scents of melon, lime and white peach, showing less oak influence at this stage than the 2021, perhaps because yields were down about 30%, with lovely fruit purity and balance. Medium to full-bodied and generous on the palate, this wine is tremendously long and silky on the finish.