2023 Romance Chardonnay, Sandhi Wines

Romance is the first estate bottling for Sandhi, and even in the cool 2023 vintage their Chardonnay has serious power with bright white peach aromas, wet stone, chalk and citrus peel. The Romance vineyard is adjacent to Domaine de la Côte, on the western edge of the hills, almost completely exposed to the blustery impact of the ocean. Tons of freshness, minerality, layers and elegance from these tiny wind-buffeted yields. It’s pure Santa Rita Hills as the palate goes on with mineral seaspray and focus. A lovely harmony of energy and generosity. Really are a cut above. And the name here is a nod to the fact that the vineyard material is from cuttings from a famed plot in Burgundy which sounds quite similar, though without the ‘c’ and with one more vowel … Drink 2025 – 2035