2022 Lumière Chardonnay
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91 pts International Wine Report
92 pts Wine Enthusiast (Editors’ Choice)
Tasting notes
Lumière Chardonnay, now in its 18th vintage, opens with a nose of toasty oak, Golden apples, Asian pears, and. On the palate are rich concentrated flavors of brioche, golden apples, pineapple, cinnamon, toasted almond and oaky vanilla. Finely balanced and delicious now; this chardonnay will become many things for many years.
Food pairing: Dungeness crab with lemon butter dripping off your elbows. Trust us.
Movie pairing: Harold and Maude
FOUNDERS NOTES:
Ah, Lumière. We love crisp, clean chardonnay produced in cooler sites and aged with judicious oak influence, such as we've enjoyed from producers in villages such as Chassagne Montrachet and from California producers like Stony Hill. Lumière is our attempt to deliver that kind of chardonnay experience. Best enjoyed with little pieces of Dungeness crab all over your face and lemon butter dripping off your chin. First produced in 2005, the older vintages are drinking beautifully still.
Download Wine Notes |
Vintage | 2022 |
Varietal | Chardonnay |
Varietal Composition | 100% Chardonnay |
Appellation | Royal Slope |
Vineyard | Stillwater Creek |
Acid | 0.50 g/100 mL |
PH | 3.49 |
Aging | 57% new French oak. Bottled at 16 months following cross flow filtration 3/2024 |
Fermentation | Whole cluster pressed. Max. temp. 80°F. Partial malolactic fermentation.Spontaneous fermentation. |
Residual Sugar | 0.02 g/100 mL |
Alcohol | 14.00% |
Volume | 750 ml |
Bottling Date | 03/12/2024 |
Cases Produced | 571 |
Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
State of Origin | Washington |
Artificially Carbonated | No |
Sparkling Wine | No |
"The medium-bodied Lumiere's combination of zippy acidity and sumptuous, creamy texture is something wondrous. It almost begs you to drink it with a spoon. Its aromas of lemon, butter and peach are equally rich, followed by flavors like pear, ginger, basil and cut grass. There's a lot going on here and I enjoy all of it. Editor's Choice."
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
"The 2022 Sparkman Chardonnay ‘Lumiere’ from Royal Slope pours a medium lemon-gold core with a creamy rim, showcasing its time in 57% new French oak. On the nose, inviting notes of ripe yellow peaches, sweet pears, honeycomb, and dried lemony herbs greet you. Rich and round across the palate, this Chardonnay balances its ripe fruit flavors with a smooth, creamy texture, delivering a full-bodied and luxurious finish. 571 cases made. Drink 2024-2029."
91 Points International Wine Report