2018 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay

Monterey, California

La Crema Monterey Chardonnay is a beautiful wine from a Sonoma-based winery that has pioneered cool-climate artisan winemaking. La Crema has explored California’s finest coastal growing regions where cooling ocean wind and fog allow the grapes to ripen slowly on the vine, developing complex aromas and flavors. The winery’s quest has ranged north into the rugged hills of Mendocino and south along the wind-swept slopes of Los Carneros. The Monterey wines originate on the cool benchlands of this coastal appellation. Just over half of the fruit for this release was grown in the vineyards of Arroyo Seco, with the remainder coming from vineyards found throughout the cool and windy Monterey appellation.

La Crema Monterey Chardonnay shows vivid tropical aromas of pineapple, lemon zest and apricot. Bright acidity and lush citrus provide the backdrop for juicy tropical flavors, while fresh, clean mineral notes punctuate the finish. The wine was 100% barrel fermented in 86% French oak (20% new.) 100% of the blend underwent secondary malolactic fermentation in barrel. The wine was stirred every three weeks as it aged 6 months on the lees.

Enjoy La Crema Monterey Chardonnay as a very food-friendly wine. Its acidity will pair well with seafoods and shellfish, and complement pastas with cream sauces, as well as roast chicken and pork roast with fruit.