Diatom Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2023

"The 2023 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County) is a total stunner. Bright, aromatic and vibrant, the 2023 is lights-out, brilliantly marrying fruit intensity and energy. Apricot, mint and white flowers abound. This is a stunning wine for the price and for its production of around 40,000 cases. All of this fruit is from Mission Hills in Los Alamos."

Made by Greg Brewer and already bottled, the 2023 Chardonnay comes from the Mission Mills Vineyard just outside of Los Alamos. Its vivid medium gold hue is followed by a vibrant nose of salted citrus, tangerine, exotic flowers, and subtle spice. Medium-bodied, pure, rounded, and beautifully balanced, it has plenty of power and density, integrated acidity, and a great finish. This impeccably made Chardonnay should be snatched up by readers, as it competes with wines at two to three times the price.

This stunning wine leaps out of the glass, with concentrated flavors and aromas of white peach, quince and pineapple, plus floral accents of orange blossoms and lemon curd. Finishes with mouthwatering acidity, a note of crunchy sea salt minerality and a whiff of lemon verbena. Drink now. 23,000 cases made.

This wine made by the legendary Greg Brewer offers a very affordable taste of his mastery. Extremely floral aromas of jasmine meet with tangerine sorbet, mint and green apple on the nose. The palate is awash in honeysuckle, poached pear and green peppercorn flavors.

Given its 40,000-case production, the straightforward 2023 Chardonnay is impressive and delivers its mission statement of accessible versatility. Entering with baked green apple and honeycomb aromas accented with pleasing salinity, the palate is soft and straightforward, concluding with a lusciously fruited finish and framed with refreshing chalkiness.