Diatom - Chardonnay 2024
Price: $27.99
Sale Price: $21.99
6+ Price: $19.99 / btl
| Producer | Diatom |
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| Country | United States |
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| Region | California |
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| Subregion | Santa Rita Hills |
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| Varietal | Chardonnay |
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| Vintage | 2024 |
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| Sku | 16867 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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There are two major winemaking choices in play here that make Diatom’s Chardonnay unique in the pantheon of California Chardonnay. First, famed winemaker Greg Brewer chooses to keep the grapes’ natural malic acid, forgoing the typical conversion to lactic acid. Malic acid is much “brighter” and Brewer feels it better reflects Chardonnay’s inherent character, without obstruction from the “buttery” flavors that result from lactic conversion. Some pretty famous wineries pioneered the style, which is enjoying a resurgence - Cakebread, Ch. Montelena, Shafer, Far Niente, Stag’s Leap – heard of them?
Where Brewer diverges from the pack is he chooses to keep the wine in stainless steel tanks, as opposed to transferring to oak barrels. Again, his stated intent is to “capture Chardonnay in its most pure and unadulterated state.”
He succeeds brilliantly, revealing what many don’t know about Chardonnay… even without malolactic fermentation and a background of oak, the grape produces rich, lush wines loaded with fruit and minerality!
I like to decant this for an hour or so… easy enough… just pour a splash in your glass while you start making dinner, and the rest in a decanter. Or pitcher. Or a clean flower vase. Whatever you have on hand. Then make dinner and reap the rewards of a little air! Oh, and make sure you pull it from the fridge about 30 minutes ahead of dinner, so it warms up a little. Trust me…
Jeb Dunnuck: 94 Points
"Based on 100% Chardonnay and aged six months in stainless steel vats, the 2024 Chardonnay has a medium to light gold hue and offers exotic citrus, minty herbs, and subtle tropical flower notes that all define this clean, crisp, remarkably pure Chardonnay. It puts on weight and richness with time in the glass and is a terrific mix of both richness and freshness. This is a no-brainer purchase for those who love Santa Barbara County Chardonnay, and I love its purity."
Wine Spectator: 93 Points
#18 on the top 100 of 2025
"This white’s sleek mix of ripe pear, ginger and pomelo flavors show striking restraint, coiled around a mouthwatering thread of acidity. Details of lime zest, white peppercorn and dried tarragon linger, along with a whiff of sea spray."
James Suckling: 93 Points
"This has a succulent texture, remaining pure and long throughout. Salinity, minerals and springtime blossoms stay taut alongside lemons and crunchy orchard fruit with a lingering kick of tactile melon pith."
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All pricing and availability subject to change.
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