Core Collection
2024 Sonoma County Chardonnay

- 92 pts: James Suckling
- 92 pts & Gold Medal: Sommelier Challenge Competition
- $50/bottle under the original label

This is a quintessential Russian River Valley expression, boasting a wonderful combination of freshness, structure, and weight in perfect balance. It was sourced from one of Sonoma’s benchmark producers that has premier vineyards in the coolest microclimates of the Russian River, and is a sublime 2024 vintage release that handily outperformed an array of Core Collection contenders (including plenty of single-vineyard wines). We agreed to declassify it to Sonoma County as part of the deal terms in order to achieve an incredible Bottle Shop price!

Pouring a radiant golden hue, the nose is classic California Chardonnay – yellow apples intermingle with lemon curd, Asian pear, vanilla bean, and spice, haloed by delicate white florals, caramel, and wet stone minerality. The palate is deftly weighted and structured, revealing layers of lemon oil, fresh butter, and apples while framed by uplifted acidity and a subtle spice. The finish is long and ethereal, echoing with barrel-kissed French oak vanilla, baking spice umami, and a final wave of honeysuckle.