Nicolas-Jay · Affinités · Chardonnay · Willamette Valley, Oregon · 2023

The Moment

This is the bottle you open when you want clarity with comfort.
Bright but grounded. Precise but generous.
A Chardonnay that feels quietly confident — the kind that rewards attention without demanding it.

What It Feels Like

The nose opens with lemon flower, green melon, and citrus blossom, followed by tangerine peel, quince, and river stone. There’s a soft cereal note and a hint of rain-on-rock that keeps everything lifted and clean.

On the palate, the wine is linear and focused, driven by Granny Smith apple, apricot pulp, and stone-fruit minerality. The texture is silky and composed, with subtle French oak adding quiet weight rather than flavor. Acidity carries the wine long and clean, finishing with a gentle saline snap.

This is Chardonnay with tension — bright, mineral, and beautifully resolved.

Why We Love This Bottle

Because it proves Chardonnay doesn’t have to shout to be expressive.
This wine balances precision and generosity — a bottle that works just as well on a quiet night in as it does at a full table. It’s thoughtful, versatile, and deeply food-friendly without ever feeling heavy.

Pair It With (From the Shop)

• Espinaler White Tuna Belly (Ventresca) — richness meets minerality; olive oil and citrus notes align perfectly

• Water Crackers + Camembert Cheese Spread — softens the acidity and highlights the wine’s silky texture

• Galician Mussels in Pickled Sauce — acidity + saline finish = effortless harmony

Also great with: roast chicken, seared scallops, creamy pasta, or simply good bread and olive oil.

The Details

• Grape: 100% Chardonnay

• Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon

• Farming: Sustainable

• Oak: Subtle, well-integrated French oak

• Style: Dry, mineral-driven, textured

• ABV: ~13%

Category

Still White → Crisp & Mineral