Santa Cruz Mountains, Chardonnay, 2023

This blend is made up of fruit from the three single vineyards: Mt Pajaro, Horseshoe and Alpine. It’s intended to be a softer and more approachable expression of the house style. Jeff and his team press the whole clusters and ferment using native yeasts. This is barrel fermented and left on its lees for a year before a stint in stainless steel tanks (still on lees) to finish malos. Intense citrus notes, mineral driven Chardonnay with a real dry extract character and hints of seashells. On the palate, there’s a touch more richness than the nose suggests, with salted nuts and ripe Williams pear. Impressive intensity and persistence. This is a gorgeous Santa Cruz Chardonnay with glorious flavours, a beautiful saline finish and great balance.