Pahlmeyer Jayson Chardonnay 2022 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
The 2022 Jayson Chardonnay reflects the complex tapestry of Napa Valley terroirs that define Pahlmeyer’s expressive yet finely balanced style. Grapes were sourced from several of Napa’s most distinguished sites — notably hillside parcels in Carneros, which provide freshness and minerality, and select valley-floor vineyards in St. Helena, contributing weight, richness, and ripe orchard fruit character. The 2022 growing season began with late winter rains that replenished the soils, followed by a temperate, even summer that encouraged slow and steady ripening. Low yields produced small, concentrated berries that delivered both vibrant acidity and layered intensity. The region’s mix of volcanic soils, clay loam, and marine influences from the San Pablo Bay added nuance and tension to the final blend, grounding the wine’s luxurious texture in a sense of place.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
This wine is composed entirely of 100% Chardonnay, vinified with the same meticulous attention to detail that defines Pahlmeyer’s flagship bottlings. Winemaker Katie Vogt and her team employed a combination of traditional Burgundian techniques and modern precision. After careful hand-harvesting and whole-cluster pressing, the juice underwent barrel fermentation in 100% French oak — 36% new François Frères barrels and 64% one-to-two-year-old Pahlmeyer barrels — to achieve an elegant interplay between oak spice and fruit purity. Extended lees contact and gentle bâtonnage added depth, weight, and a creamy mid-palate. The wine aged 12 months before bottling, allowing the flavors to knit seamlessly. With a finished alcohol of 14.3%, the 2022 Jayson Chardonnay is a perfect synthesis of Napa opulence and measured restraint. Vogt describes this vintage as “a harmonious balance of richness, buoyancy, and intricacy,” and that balance is evident in every sip.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Jayson Chardonnay presents a shimmering pale gold hue. The nose opens immediately with a symphony of aromas: ripe Meyer lemon, white peach, and golden apple, layered with notes of toasted almond, honeysuckle, and vanilla bean. As the wine breathes, deeper tones of grilled pineapple, lemon curd, and brioche emerge, reflecting the deft integration of oak and fruit. On the palate, the wine is broad and luxurious yet lifted — silky in texture, with a lively undercurrent of acidity that keeps its richness in check. Layers of pear tart, citrus zest, and crème brûlée unfold across the tongue, framed by subtle mineral tension. The finish is long and mouth-coating, leaving lingering impressions of butter-toffee and orange blossom. It’s a wine that manages to be both indulgent and graceful — a true hallmark of Napa Valley Chardonnay at its most refined.

Food Pairing & Service
The Jayson Chardonnay 2022 shines at 50–54 °F (10–12 °C), ideally served in a generous white Burgundy glass to allow its aromatics to expand. This is a versatile and gastronomic Chardonnay, pairing beautifully with seared scallops in lemon-butter sauce, Dungeness crab risotto, or roast chicken with tarragon cream. The wine’s natural acidity and gentle oak structure also complement buttered lobster tails, gnocchi with sage and brown butter, or wild mushroom risotto. For cheese pairings, consider aged Comté or triple-cream Brie, which echo the wine’s balance of richness and finesse. While irresistibly drinkable now, the 2022 vintage has the depth and composure to age gracefully for the next 5–8 years, developing even more honeyed and nutty complexity with time.