Antinori 2022 A26 Chardonnay

From the soaring elevations of Napa Valley’s Atlas Peak, the Antinori 2022 A26 Chardonnay delivers a masterclass in precision, elegance, and terroir expression. Grown on meticulously farmed estate vineyards at 1,475 feet, where the Perkins Gravelly Loam—born of volcanic alluvium—instills a distinct mineral backbone, this Chardonnay speaks fluently in the dialect of restraint and refinement. Less than 10% of the estate’s Chardonnay crop earned its place in this bottling, selected from blocks defined by small-cluster clones like Dijon 96, Entav 548, and Heritage Wiemer. The result is a wine of singular aromatic intensity and textural poise.

The 2022 vintage brought challenges that required both vigilance and virtuosity. A dramatic 10-inch downpour late in 2021 refreshed the vines ahead of an otherwise dry winter, while early budbreak and a spring frost tested the estate’s viticultural mettle. Yet, through disciplined farming and strategic use of frost protection in the lower vineyard, the team ushered in a compact yet vibrant harvest. Picking began on August 18 and wrapped by the 26th, capturing fruit with perfect balance between ripeness and freshness.

Winemaking was equally thoughtful. Whole-cluster pressed and settled before inoculation, the juice was barrel-fermented and aged for seven months in new French oak from Remond and Le Grand—coopers chosen for their ability to elevate texture without dominating the fruit. Half the lots underwent malolactic fermentation, bringing creaminess and breadth, while the remainder retained a linear, bright core that animates the mid-palate.

In the glass, the A26 is at once crystalline and luxurious. Aromas of white peach, Meyer lemon zest, and crushed almond unfold with aeration, buttressed by hints of marzipan and wet stone. Medium to full-bodied, the wine walks a tightrope between energy and opulence. The acidity is deft, electric without being sharp, lending the wine a youthful, almost alpine tension. The finish glides on notes of honeysuckle, lemon curd, and lightly toasted brioche, echoing long after the last sip. This is a Chardonnay that Napa purists will revere—steely yet sumptuous, structured yet sensuous, and deeply rooted in place. It is, without question, one of the most compelling white wines I’ve tasted from this corner of the valley in recent years. Drink now through 2030.

Alcohol: 13.7%