2023 Roar Chardonnay Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 97 Points
If typically impressively fine at release, the Sierra Mar bottling seldom smothers it's zest and minerality with overtly generous fruit, yet in 2023 it does. The aromas open as a luxurious mix of fresh applesauce and poached pear, with hints of guava and lemon peel: the whole above a core of saline minerality. That fruit seems almost plump on the palate, where apple and pear mostly eclipse the lemon-mineral background. Ultimately, the finish betrays the wine's youth, as the palate feel is stiffened by both zest and minerality and flavors at the end seem a bit youthfully straightforward. It is nevertheless quite delicious already, although it wants 12-18 months to truly show itself. 150 cases produced.