Tantalus 2022 Bear Chardonnay 750ml

The Bear label replaces the Juveniles Chardonnay, now that vines are nearing a decade old. The ‘Bear’ tag is a nod to the nickname of owner Eric Savics’ eldest son. From clones 76, 95, and 548, this was small lot native fermented in neutral French barriques and puncheons, where it remained on lees until bottling. The neutral wood dampens none of the crisp, buoyant freshness of this wine, with green apple, lemon peel, almond, chiseled with a firm stoniness, and finishing with a luring wash of salinity. Quite impressive, and drinking beautifully now, yet with time ahead. Fantastic value.

Score: 91 points --Treve Ring, Gismondi On Wine