2023 Raen Chardonnay Lady Marjorie Sonoma Coast

The 2023 Chardonnay Lady Marjorie is a cuvée dedicated to Carlo and Dante’s grandmother. It’s bright, salty, and savory in this vintage, with a crystalline feel to its fresh notes of Anjou pear, lime leaf, savory lime oils, wet stones, and beeswax. The palate is focused and long, with electric salty lift, bright acidity, and a silky richness of concentration. They have really improved the quality of their Chardonnay. I used to think they were more Chenin-like and slightly oxidative in style, but I love that these are coming into focus. An age-worthy vintage, I would encourage readers to not sleep on the whites here. Drink 2025-2037. Carlo and Dante Mondavi founded RAEN in the West Sonoma Coast AVA with the goal of finding California Grand Cru-equivalent sites in the Freestone-Occidental area. Melanie McIntyre is leading the way as winemaker of this Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-focused estate, located two miles from the ocean. In the vineyard, they practice no-till farming and work beyond the requirements of organics, working toward eliminating the use of all chemicals in the vineyards.

The 2023 Chardonnay Lady Marjorie is a blend from vineyards in Fort Ross-Seaview and Occidental. Bright and sculpted, the 2023 is super-impressive. Citrus peel, white flowers, chalk, mint and white pepper all open in the glass. More than anything else, I admire the wine's total balance and harmony. Give it a year or so to soften.