La Crema Chardonnay, Monterey 2023

Coastal Monterey vineyards, cooled by Pacific breezes, tend to produce Chardonnays on the brighter, fresher side rather than the fuller end of the Californian spectrum. And that's just what we have here. A few months in oak give it a little roundness and spice, but without heading into blockbuster territory. Tropical flavours - grilled pineapple, papaya - and ripe stone fruits sit alongside citrus notes like key lime and tangerine, with a touch of honeydew melon for softness. A subtle spice and a faintly stony, mineral edge running through make it feel polished and gently creamy while still finishing fresh and nicely poised. Stylish without being in-your-face.

Great with creamy seafood, poultry or pasta dishes, where the gentle oak complements the richness without overwhelming it.

When La Crema was founded in 1979, the Russian River Valley had yet to establish itself as one of California's most important regions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The first few vintages at La Crema were devoted to learning the intricacies of cold-climate viticulture and winemaking along with the task of procuring first-class vineyards for fruit. Over the years, La Crema has expanded its collection of vineyards to include some of the most esteemed sites in not just the Russian River Valley but also Sonoma Coast, Green Valley, Fort Ross-Seaview, Mendocino, Carneros and Monterey. And, more recently they've also branched out further afield in the Willamette valley in Oregon. The unifying factors with all of these locations are their cool, windy climates and marine-based soils which underpins La Crema's signature style of wine.