2023 Peay Vineyards Richardson Chardonnay

Up where we farm, people have made a living the past 100+ years mostly in timber and sheep (well, also from illegal weed, but that’s another story). About 12 years ago the shepherd whose flock of 700 sheep graze our grass in winter and early spring asked about diversifying his operations by planting grapes. I told him he would diversify his revenue, not necessarily his profits. Alas, he went ahead and planted anyway and, for that, we are thankful. We gave him budwood of clones of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from our vineyard and we have been putting those barrels in our West Sonoma Coast blends the past few vintages. In 2023, the Chardonnay was really singular. Just stunning and good enough to vineyard designate. We made a little over 5 barrels of Richardson Chardonnay to offer just to the mailing list. The aroma reminds me of toast with lemon curd and a smell of the salty sea. The texture on the palate is silky but not heavy with subtle almond, plantain, and the lemon oil and curd aromas lingering on a long finish.