Diatom 2022 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay
$ 2399
$ 2799
Winemaker Notes
Winemaker Greg Brewer is one of California's most respected Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producers (he was Wine Enthusiast's Winemaker of the year for 2020). His Brewer-Clifton label has been a darling of critics and wine lovers everywhere since it was first released in 1996. In 2005 he created Diatom where he seeks to capture and express the beauty of Chardonnay in its most pure and unadulterated state.
Diatom is named for diatomaceous earth, which is a plankton fossil found in the oceanic landscape of Santa Barbara County. The wines are made without any malolactic fermentation or oak barrel influences and made in the classic style of early Napa Valley style of the 1970's and 1980's of wineries like Cakebread, Chateau Montelena, Stony Hill, Shafer, Far Niente, Stag’s Leap... the wines won the 1976 Judgment of Paris Tasting and that helped make Napa famous around the world.
Critical Acclaim
Offers grilled pineapple, white peach and lemon blossom notes that are robust and effortless on a sleek, juicy frame, with fresh-cut green apple, tarragon and sea spray emerging on the mouthwatering finish.
93pts 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.
93pts Robert Parker
The 2022 Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic conversion and matured in stainless steel, opens with inviting aromas of quince, white peaches, toasted meringue and citrus blossom streaked with hints of matchstick and saline. The medium-bodied palate balances ripe, floral fruit with focused acidity, and a touch of textural breadth lengthens the finish. It combines the verve of Chablis with the ripeness of California. It deserves 2-3 years in bottle to unwind.
The 2022 Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic conversion and matured in stainless steel, opens with inviting aromas of quince, white peaches, toasted meringue and citrus blossom streaked with hints of matchstick and saline. The medium-bodied palate balances ripe, floral fruit with focused acidity, and a touch of textural breadth lengthens the finish. It combines the verve of Chablis with the ripeness of California. It deserves 2-3 years in bottle to unwind.
750ml