2023 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
An impressive blend of three estate sites – Mt. Pajaro, Alpine, and Horseshoe – all at fairly high elevation, the 2023 Chardonnay is an energetic, lively white of tremendous complexity and length. Barrel-fermented over a year with an additional six months in stainless steel, it tastes of pure citrus and stone fruit, with explosive acidity and a lingering trace of stony minerality. Drinking perfectly now, it should keep going through 2035.
Critic scores
Average Score
Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate
Virginie Boone, jebdunnuck.com
More reviews and scores
The 2023 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) is the platonic ideal of Chardonnay from this part of California, and at the appellation level, it just doesn’t get much better than this. Aromas of salty ocean breeze lend real character to a core of deep, golden fruit, with a nutty, honeyed, sunshiny richness that tags this as California. The Rhys house style is on full display: distinct minerality and serious energy with great palate presence and inner creaminess. This is a winner.
The 2023 Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains leads with a pure, delicate bouquet of citrus rinds, fresh herbs and a gently nutty undertone, followed by a racy, silky palate and a beamingly bright, sailing finish. As per usual, this is a stellar overview of the Rhys project, with an additional dose of high-toned energy supplied by the 2023 vintage.