2023 Domaine Messier, Chardonnay, Carmel Coast AVA, Monterey County.
Domaine Messier is an exciting new project here in Carmel Valley, situated in the western zone of what is now known as the Carmel Coast AVA, which is set on loamy soil layered upon weathered shale and sees lots of cooling fog, perfect for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as seen here with this beautiful estate Chardonnay. This delicately tropical, mineral driven and pale gold 2023 Chardonnay shows off a pristine, Burgundy like character and the cool vintage freshness, while still being deep in complexity and length with a smooth layering of golden apple, Bosc pear, lemon and fig fruits, along with clove spice, chalky stone, a tough of hazelnut, baking spice and white flower notes. This is a fine effort that gets better with air, filling out nicely on the medium bodied palate, gaining richness and depth of complexity, while staying focused and with just the right amount of brisk acidity, as well as well judged oak framing here, making for a serious Chardonnay that really captures a sense of place. Domaine Messier, with the talents of Chris and Greg Vita in cellar and Todd Kenyon (a local legend) in the vineyard, along with Etienne Grivot, of the famous Domaine Jean Grivot domaine in Burgundy, who is consulting on the Pinot Noir, has all the right stuff to succeed and I’m excited to see what happens here, especially after trying this Messier Chardonnay. Domaine Messier, is almost exclusively sold on their mailing list and website, does a Rosé of Pinot Noir, this Chardonnay and two Pinot Noir cuvées.
It was great to finally meet Luc Messier of Domaine Messier, who released their first efforts in the 2022 vintage, recently and hear about his exciting cool climate Carmel Valley vineyard in the new Carmel Coast AVA, west of Albatross Ridge and above Pelio on marine layer kissed slopes. Messier, who is from Montreal Canada, fell in love with Carmel Valley and was inspired by the efforts of the late Peter Figge, of Figgie Cellars that was instrumental in the first plantings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay here in this tiny AVA. Luc’s commitment to the land and environment, which he says commit to its care starts with organic farming practices and that he seeks to make wines which is the ultimate expression of its terroir and growing season. Messier has about 20 acres planted so far, almost evenly split between Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, planted with a unique selection of genetic material including clones 38, 70, 72 and 80 for the Chardonnay, and clones 72, 143, 828 and 943 for the Pinot Noir. Messier explains that with a location just about seven miles from the Pacific Ocean, the cool coastal climate is distinctly suited for Burgundian varietals. For his Chardonnay Messier employs a cool stainless steel primary fermentation before racking the wine to French oak barriques where it matures on the fine lees for 7 months with about 40% new wood employed. All of which promotes crisp detailing, but offering up a wonderful balance, texture and a lovely vitality that should allowing for good aging potential too, drink this one over the next 5 to 7 years.
($58 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive