The 2023 Estate Reserve Chardonnay is the inaugural reserve-level Chardonnay from Platt Vineyard and an extraordinary debut. It comes from select sections of Blocks 17, 18 and 19, primarily older Wente selections chosen for their concentration and aging potential. Only 878 cases were produced.
Professional Ratings
| Critic |
Score |
| Vinous – Antonio Galloni |
⭐ 100 |
| The Wine Palate – Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW |
99 |
| Decanter |
97 |
| James Suckling |
96* |
*Platt Vineyard’s own current page displays a 99-point James Suckling review, while retailer listings including Michael’s Wine Cellar show 96 points. This appears to reflect differing published/review records, so I’d use 96 JS for consistency with the Michael’s listing.
Vinous – 100: Antonio Galloni calls the wine “magnificent,” praising its combination of vibrancy and rich texture. Tangerine peel, hazelnut, spice, baked apple and pastry lead into a creamy, resonant palate and exceptionally persistent finish.
The Wine Palate – 99: Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW finds honeyed pear, Golden Delicious apple, spice cake, sea spray and chamomile. The palate is silky yet tense, with concentrated orchard fruit, chalky minerality and citrus freshness.
Decanter – 97: Orange blossom, lemon oil, white peach and buttery pastry lead to a generous, creamy palate balanced by a bright, finely chalky finish. Suggested drinking window is 2025–2035.
James Suckling – 96: Full-bodied and mouthwatering, with layered citrus, white flowers, subtle oak and iodine-like minerality. Richness and salinity carry through the finish, with the structure to age.
Tasting Profile
Nose: White peach, pear, baked apple and tangerine with orange blossom, hazelnut, pastry, flint and subtle spice.
Palate: Rich and creamy yet remarkably precise. Orchard and citrus fruit are framed by vibrant acidity, chalky minerality and coastal salinity, while French oak adds texture without overwhelming the fruit.
Finish: Exceptionally long and energetic, with citrus oil, hazelnut, chalk and saline mineral notes.
Sommelier’s Take
This is a serious, Burgundy-inspired California Chardonnay—powerful and textural but never heavy. Galloni’s 100-point score makes the 2023 Estate Reserve one of the most acclaimed inaugural Chardonnay releases from the West Sonoma Coast.
Vinous, January 2025
The 2023 Chardonnay Estate Reserve is magnificent. Tangerine peel, hazelnut, spice, menthol, baked apple tart and pastry are some of the many nuances that open in the glass. The Reserve offers a captivating mix of vibrancy and textural viscosity. Creamy, resonant contours wrap up the plush close. There’s striking richness and mind-blowing overall balance to match a long finish that reverberates for an eternity. The Reserve is a blend of sections within three blocks on the property planted mostly with variations of older Wente selections that are distinguished by longer hang times. It is one of several wines I have tasted from this part of the West Sonoma Coast that suggests Chardonnay may ultimately hold more potential than Pinot Noir. What a wine! - Antonio Galloni
