Saracina Chardonnay Mendocino County 2023

94 Points (Editors’ Choice) Wine Enthusiast

Here’s what makes this special: It’s sourced from three unique vineyard sites, including the organically farmed Gianda Rose and the historic 50-year-old vines of the Lolonis Vineyard. These low-yielding heritage sites on the banks of the Russian River produced fruit with astounding concentration and structural backbone.

This is designed for lovers of crisp, mouthwatering Chardonnay who opt out of the ‘butter bomb’ Chardonnay style. The fruit was whole-cluster pressed and fermented to dryness in a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak barrels. The crucial step is that malolactic fermentation was blocked to preserve the wine’s natural, zesty acidity and the full medley of aromas. It was aged on the lees for four months to add texture without weighing down the palate.