94pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2023 Chardonnay Estate was matured for 10 months in 35% new French oak. It has understated scents of flint, Meyer lemon and white orchard fruit. The medium-bodied palate has a satiny texture and refined flavors of creamy citrus and spice. It has a seamless balance of fresh acidity and an elegant, mineral-driven finish. 461 cases were made.

94pts James Suckling

This savory, flinty, nuanced, medium-bodied wine shows aromas of salt, straw, pine needles and textural minerals. Rich and layered acidity, with a pillowy mid-palate and flavors of lemon oil and chalk in the long finish. Drink or hold.

93pts International Wine Report

The 2023 Brittan Vineyards Estate Chardonnay from McMinnville was aged for 10 months in 35% new French oak, giving it both freshness and polish. The nose opens with aromas of Bartlett pear, pastry cream, nutmeg, and a touch of citrus blossom, offering a refined introduction. On the palate, flavors of Meyer lemon, quince, and green pear mingle with hints of toasted almond and subtle spice, lifted by herbal tones of chamomile and sage. Bright acidity frames the richness, creating a wine that is layered, focused, and beautifully balanced. 461 cases made.

91pts Decanter

The 2022 Chardonnay Estate has a delicate, pure expression. It opens with scents of chamomile and crushed stone and segues to golden apples, quince and cream. The light-bodied palate features detailed, expressive flavors framed by mouthwatering acidity and a soft, enveloping texture, and it has a long, honey-nut finish.

Vineyard notes

The Brittan Vineyard lies just 12 miles southwest of McMinnville, tucked into the foothills of the Coast Range. The original 18 acres were planted in 2001, but due to the challenging nature of this site and limited topsoil, only eight acres survived. Since 2004 when Robert and Ellen purchased the vineyard, it has been an ongoing rehabilitation project: replanting, retraining, and learning the unique landscape that has become Brittan Vineyard.

Vintage notes

Following an unusually cold spring, the 2023 vintage was warm and dry, with low disease pressure across the vineyard. The warm start to summer gave us the shortest interval between bud break and flowering we had ever seen. In the second year of recovery after a permanent cover crop reset, the vineyard saw robust growth and lush foliage. A heat event in August didn’t affect our 4 acres of Chardonnay, which delivered a historically high yield for our vineyard. The wines from 2023 have good concentration, slightly relaxed acids, and are wonderfully approachable in their youth.

Tasting notes

Our 2023 Estate Chardonnay has remarkable clarity, verve, and precision. Golden apple, Bartlett pear, and fig notes balance the moderate oak, baking spice and citrus zest on the nose. There’s a lovely earthy minerality on the palate that beautifully complements the wine’s texture and acidity. Pair with heirloom tomato tart or creamy crab and chanterelle pasta. Drink now through 2038.