2024 Stanley Groovy Chardonnay

What does Washington Chardonnay taste like? Looks like we have to explain… 

Don’t Explain Chardonnay hails from our French Creek Estate Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, where a mosaic of clonal selections— 40+ year old Wente clone, Robert Young, Mt. Eden, and more—create depth and dimension. These blocks ripen at different times allowing for a complex wine with a spectrum of flavors ranging from bright, acid-driven to rich and textural. Vinification takes place in a variety of mediums including stainless steel, oak, and concrete egg, adding layers of nuance and energy into the final blend.

Golden in the glass, Don’t Explain Chardonnay opens with aromas of lemon custard, white flowers, chamomile, and a playful hint of pineapple candy. Subtle brioche and spice notes add depth, pointing to its layered élevage across barrel, stainless, and concrete egg. On the palate, bright citrus gives way to a creamy, textured mid-palate, shaped by whole-cluster pressing, thoughtful malolactic balance, and ten months on the lees. A thread of wet stone minerality carries through to a finish laced with apricot marmalade richness. The result is a Chardonnay that marries vibrancy with generosity—expressive, balanced, and endlessly drinkable.

91 pts - International Wine Report

"The 2024 The Walls Chardonnay ‘Stanley Groovy’ from Washington State presents a restrained, earth-leaning profile, offering aromas of peach skin, dried yellow plum, and subtle spice carried by a faint chalky undertone. The palate moves smoothly yet finishes with intention, showing soft stone fruit and herbal inflection before resolving with saline freshness and a gentle citrus lift." -Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

90 pts - Vinous

"More savory than sweet, the 2024 Chardonnay Don't Explain mixes wet stones with musky apricot and spice. It is round and pliant, with ripe pit fruits and an air of chamomile swirling throughout. This cleans up well through the finish, leaving a mineral tinge and a hint of citrus. Drinking Window 2025 - 2029." -Eric Guido, October 2025