2024 J Lohr - Chardonnay Riverstone Arroyo Seco Monterey (750ml)

For more than thirty vintages, J. Lohr has crafted Riverstone as a classic expression of Monterey Chardonnay from the cool-climate Arroyo Seco appellation. The vines grow primarily on Elder loam soils underlain by "riverstones," cobblestones deposited over thousands of years by the Arroyo Seco River. This sandy loam and cobblestone combination keeps vine growth and fruit in balance, while the cool climate and winds off Monterey Bay help preserve natural acidity and intense varietal character. The wine has earned the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing seal from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

The 2024 growing season brought a cool spring and summer, delivering the classic Arroyo Seco combination of fresh flavors and bright acidity, followed by warmer September weather that was ideal for ripening. The relatively short, one-month harvest produced a blend built from ten different Chardonnay clones, each contributing to the complexity of the final wine.

Expect enticing aromas of ripe citrus and apricot, white nectarine, and baking spice. Balanced acidity and texture from sur lie barrel aging frame flavors of Meyer lemon, ripe peach, citrus cream, hazelnut, and cocoa, finishing with a subtle hint of oak. Despite the richness, the wine stays fresh, anchored by a mineral core.

This is a versatile Chardonnay, wonderful as an aperitif with triple crème brie, Gruyère, or Asiago cheese, and a great pairing for Tuscan bean soup, sesame-apricot chicken, mussels in white wine sauce, shrimp scampi, or sautéed scallops.