For fans of the bright and un-oaked style of Chardonnay produced in Chablis and the Maconnais, you're going to love Greg Brewer's Diatom. This bright and lively wine has been on a hot streak the past few vintages, garnering 93 to 98 point scores from the likes of Wine Spectator, the Wine Advocate, Vinous Media, and others.
Kind of like a Chablis from a warm year, it is without a doubt one of California's top premium Chardonnay values. I love its combination of concentrated flavors, zesty acids, and complex mineral tones.
2022 Diatom Chardonnay Santa Barbara County
92 points Wine Spectator, 94 points Yours Truly
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"Offers grilled pineapple, white peach and lemon blossom notes that are robust and effortless on a sleek, juicy frame, with fresh-cut green apple, tarragon and sea spray emerging on the mouthwatering finish." I couldn't have said it any better, and it is worth noting the Wine Advocate rated the '21 vintage of this one at 98 points.
I love this style of Chardonnay, and it's one that I'm seeing more and more of our customers gravitate towards. Made in a way that truly showcases the "naked" aromas and flavors of this noble variety, a la Chablis, it is bright, mouthwatering, and highly expressive. Many of my clients have grown weary of the over-oaked, creamy, and buttery style of Chardonnay, and Diatom is perfect for those in that camp.
Just because this isn't a butter bomb, don't be fooled into thinking this isn't intense, compelling, and concentrated. You'd be mistaken! Crafted by the talented Greg Brewer, of Brewer-Clifton fame and Wine Enthusiast's Winemaker of the Year in 2020, the Diatom Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is crafted with grapes from two special sites in the Los Alamos Valley.
Fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel, this high-toned Chardonnay will get the juices flowing for sure. Chardonnay's naturally bright acidity, which is often muted by malolactic fermentation, is on full display here. Greg inhibits the malolactic on this wine, and we are left with a pristine, finely-detailed Chardonnay that dances on the palate with aromas and flavors of white peach, lemon curd, citrus blossom, and mineral.
Bravo Mr. Brewer for producing one of the top Chardonnay values on the planet! I look forward to enjoying a bottle of this with scallops in a lemon beurre blanc sauce in the very near future. I suggest you do the same, but no food, as this makes for a very tasty aperitif.
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Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville