2022 Marine Layer - Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Aries (750ml)

Marine Layer takes its name from the thick blanket of coastal fog that rolls in from the Pacific along the Sonoma Coast, cooling the vineyards it sources from. The label focuses exclusively on small-batch, cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, built from a rotating mix of top Sonoma Coast vineyard sites rather than a single estate.

Aries is Marine Layer's entry point into that lineup, a blend drawn from sites like Hawk Hill, Gaps Crown, Durell, Heintz, and Bohemian, along with a few smaller parcels. All of them sit in the fog-cooled reaches of the Sonoma Coast, where the long, cool growing season stretches out ripening and preserves natural acidity. The wine sees a light touch of oak, around twenty percent new barrels, just enough to round out the texture without masking the fruit or the site's mineral character.

The wine pours pale straw, opening with lemon curd and jasmine before moving into fresh pear, white peach, and lime leaf. A thread of smoky, saline minerality runs through the finish, backed by a light whisper of graham cracker from the oak. Serve it with grilled halibut, roast chicken, or a soft triple-cream cheese.