2024 Ridge - Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains Estate (750ml)

Sourced entirely from Ridge's historic Monte Bello Estate Vineyard at 2,300 feet elevation, where fractured limestone soils have produced exceptional Chardonnay since 1962. Strong winds during flowering reduced yields by 20% in 2024, followed by warm weather in late August that sped up ripening — all seven Chardonnay blocks harvested within three days in early September. Hand-picked, whole-cluster pressed, fermented with native yeasts, and aged 15 months in a mix of American and French oak with just 15% new barrels. Palest gold in the glass with flinty lemon oil, lemon curd, and wet chalkboard on the nose with a hint of oak; saline flavors of gunpowder, lemon peel, and lemon tart on the palate with bright acidity and a faint chalky grip — somehow both lean and rich at the same time, with tremendous energy