2022 Cobb Wines - Chardonnay Sonoma Doc's Ranch Joann's Block (750ml)

Cobb Wines grew out of a family vision for the far western Sonoma Coast. David Cobb, a marine biologist and ecologist, spent years studying soils and climate data before choosing the coastal ridgetops, and in 1989 he and his wife Diane planted their Coastlands Vineyard. Their son Ross made wine at Williams Selyem and Flowers, and in 2001 he and his father founded Cobb Wines. Ross focuses on a cool-climate, single-vineyard style.

JoAnn’s Block is a one-acre parcel of Clone 5 Chardonnay surrounded by Pinot Noir at Doc’s Ranch. The vineyard sits next door to Coastlands, just three miles from the Pacific, which makes it one of the westernmost Chardonnay sites on the Sonoma Coast. The vines grow in marine sedimentary soils at around 1,000 feet. The 2022 was fermented in barrel and aged for 22 months in French oak, only about 10% of it new.

This bright straw-colored Chardonnay has aromas of melon, ripe peach, honeysuckle and wet stone, with hints of matchstick, pear, bread dough and beeswax. The palate is broad and satiny. Mouthwatering acidity carries it to a long, layered finish with savory, smoky earth. Serve it with Dungeness crab, seared scallops or roast chicken.