The La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 is a wine I found selling for 14.99 at Costco, a quick check of the web saw prices ranging from a low of $11 to $23. La Crema’s original name was La Crema Viñera, which translates to “best of the vine.”
The Story
La Crema’s estate vineyard is located in the Russian River AVA. It specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Oregon and California. The company also offers wines from most of the elite West Coast coastal growing regions.
They have a “House Style,” so while the location of the vineyards changes, the general winemaking philosophy stays the same. if you enjoy a glass of the La Crema Sonoma Coast and then follow that with a La Crema Carneros, you can start to perceive the differences in the characteristics of the two AVAs.
The Sonoma Coast AVA is located in the mountain tallies along the Pacific Ocean in western Sonoma County. The vineyards are planted either on the ridge above the fog line or in the valley that experiences daily morning. This is a cool and windy AVA and his home to many high-end wineries and vineyards.
The La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 had a wet and windy growing season that was long and allowed the grapes to fully ripen. The grapes were oak barrel-fermented and then aged six months (on lees) in 75% French and 25% American oak barrels.
The alcohol content is a balanced 13.5%.
The La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 Tasting Notes
The color is a glistening sunshine yellow. The nose is melon, lemon curd, a little butter, tropical fruit, apple, pear, and spice. The La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 has a smooth, rounded mouthfeel, and the flavors are a mix of citrus and fruit.
The Chardonnay tastes like a ripe, tart apple mixed with lemon, pear, and vanilla. There is also peach, stone fruit, slightly rough-edged spice, and dried pineapple.
The acidity is balanced and gives this Chardonnay excellent length.
The Summary
- The La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 is a highly enjoyable Chardonnay that is well worth giving a try.
- Better yet, get two La Crema Chardonnay wines from 2 separate AVAs and have a wine education party.
