Winemaker Notes
On the nose, notes of Meyer lemon, Asian Pear and white flowers are supported on the nose by subtle hints of oak. On the palate, notes of crisp apple, golden peach and pineapple. Heady flavors of Graham cracker pie crust add a vein of richness. Plush, vibrant and concentrated, juicy yet balanced acidity drives a lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
La Crema 2024 Chardonnay (Monterey). Clean aromas of lemon zest, lime pith, and sliced apple show on the nose of this always-reliable brand. The palate is energetic with familiar flavors of Meyer lemon and nectarine. Best Buy.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.