2020 Three Sticks Chardonnay Alana Vineyard

Taking on a deeper golden hue, the 2020 Chardonnay Alana Vineyard is more forward with aromas of ripe peach, buttered citrus, and baking spice. Full-bodied, with a rounded mouthfeel, it offers notes of melon rind, almond, and pithy orange, but unfortunately, after the wine is gone, a bit of smoky toasted char creeps up on the finish. Drink now. This Chardonnay and Pinot Noir house is a member of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners and is based in Sonoma. The name comes from the founder and principal, Bill Price III, who was nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks” by childhood friends for the Roman numerals after his name. He got his start in the wine industry when he purchased the Durrell Vineyard in 1998 and founded Three Sticks in 2002. Ryan Prichard came on to the team in 2015 to apprentice alongside winemaker Bob Cabral (previously of Williams Selyem) before taking over the position he holds today as Director of Winemaking. With key holdings of Durell Vineyard and Gap’s Crown Vineyard as well as other sites in the West Sonoma Coast AVA, these wines are on my radar to watch over the coming years. This report's wines were tasted with winemaker Ryan Prichard this May in Sonoma. Additionally, Ryan is responsible for the impressive Cabernet Sauvignon wines of Flambeaux, which were reviewed separately.