2023 Alfaro "Lindsay Paige Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

The 2023 Chardonnay Lindsay Paige Vineyard adds to the outstanding lineup of Chardonnays this vintage, made from the 809 clone, the one found in the wines of Kongsgaard. Not surprisingly, it’s more muscular than its siblings, coming from the first vineyard planted on the property in 1997 and own rooted. Winemaker Ryan Alfaro believes it just took longer to become balanced, but it surely is now. There’s an intensity and depth to this medium-bodied wine, as well as good salinity, gravelly umami, and more volume, power, and oak. Barrel-fermented, it spent nine months in 33% new wood and should have 10-15 years of aging potential. Drink now through 2038.