THE STORY
Having just read a Wine Spectator article about California Chardonnay, I suggested we make it the theme of our August virtual wine group. Members presented wines from all over California, Oregon and Washington, making it one of our more interesting and classes! I wanted to try the 2023 Diatom Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County, which had been selected as Wine Spectator’s #37 of its top 100 California Chardonnays. After hunting in my local stores, I settled for the 2022 vintage instead – which turned out to be a terrific wine!
ABOUT WINES BY GREG BREWER:
“Winemaker Greg Brewer’s primary goal and priority is to deliver the essence of the sustainably farmed estate vineyards as clearly and honestly as possible.
“Each specific winery strives to harness our appellations with the utmost transparency in their own unique style. This objective is to offer the most relevant voice of our estates. While the three labels are corralled by my name, their outcome is ultimately the result of our entire Team whose devotion to every step of the process informs, motivates and inspires…”
About Diatom – by Greg Brewer: “Diatom specializes in one variety— Chardonnay— and is motivated by the pursuit of subtraction and refinement.”
THE WINE:
Today I’m bringing you just one wine. Winery notes come from wine.com. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2022 Diatom Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, 14.5% ABV, $25 (#1433)
Winemaker’s Notes From wine.com: “The 2022 Diatom Santa Barbara Chardonnay offers aromas of lemon, citrus blossom and wet sand with flavors of saline and white peach on the palate. A precise, balanced wine.”
At that same link, you can find many professional reviews for this wine, rated on average 93 points. Here is one of those reviews:
93 Points – Wine Enthusiast: “Fascinating aromas of Asian pear, lime and white rocks create a cohesive combination on the nose of this bottling by Greg Brewer. The palate is tremendously tense and lively, using crushed seashell and yuzu flavors to offset the tropical hints of guava peel and spicy pepper touches.” — Matt Kettmann
My Review: Pale yellow in the glass. A big nose of white peach, honeysuckle, lemon and burnt matchstick, with a hint of pineapple. The full-bodied, ripe fruit palate includes lemon zest and lemon curd. This wine when first opened was lemon, lemon, lemon, but as it warmed slightly and opened up, it became this full-bodied beauty. Very different from our typical Monterey County Chardonnays! We enjoyed this wine all week! A bargain at $25. August 2024
THE TASTING ROOM:
“Our tasting room is located in the town of Los Olivos, California just 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara. We are open by reservation only in order to maximize each guest’s experience.
HOURS OF OPERATION Open Seven Days a Week 10am – 4pm By Reservation Only
ADDRESS – 2367 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441
© Decanting Monterey 2024
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