2019 Chardonnay

Mansfield-Dunne Wines is another project that is overseen by the highly experienced and well-traveled Ed Kurtzman. Mansfield-Dunne produces a range of fruit-driven, seductive wines that deliver serious bang for the buck given their quality. Sourced from their two estate vineyards, Peterson (11 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and Cortada Alta (42 acres of young vines Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Viognier), these are wines of excellent detail and distinctly energetic character, traits that those who have followed Kurtzman’s work will no doubt recognize. New oak has a presence here, generally from 25% to 50%, but I seldom find it intrusive as the fruit intensity is always pronounced. That said, I do think that the wines benefit from some bottle age to allow time for the lumber and fruit to get better acquainted. Barring that, a decanter will come in handy.