Wasenhaus, Chardonnay, Baden 2023

Chardonnay has a history here in Baden; it’s more common here (it seems) to find parcels of Chardonnay planted in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when it was still something of a curiosity, at least in Germany. Wasenhaus’ edition is perky and direct, with great lift and concentration. The wine is sourced from various parcels south of Staufen and in the Kaiserstuhl. The 2023 was pressed as whole-cluster and fermented in used barrels of different sizes. Aged for one year on the full lees in barrel and another half year in stainless steel on its entire lees.