INSIDER'S PICK: 2019 PRIVATE PROPERTY CHARDONNAY SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS $24.99

The Private Property brand is the second label for Caraccioli Cellars, a producer best known in the Santa Lucia Highlands for their fantastic sparkling wine creations. We first encountered them through their sparkling Rose (dollar for dollar one of the best sparklers you will find from anywhere), and felt we had to explore their still wines as well. Fruit for this Chardonnay comes from the same vineyards that supply the Chardonnay for their sparkling wine program and exemplifies the uniqueness of the Santa Lucia Highlands. It's one of California's coolest winegrowing climates as it funnels constant coastal winds from Monterrey Bay yet isn't as fog-bound which allows for steady ripening throughout the season. These sites make some of the state's most exciting Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays with a distinct sense of place, and it is very rare to find one able to show it off anywhere close to this price point. A bit atypical for Cali Chard in that they are very light on the use of oak and malolactic fermentation, so that those flavors do not obstruct the Highlands terroir, and you won't miss them in the slightest. Zesty aromas of lemon curd, white citrus and seashell, a truly coastal aroma. The palate is very similar and gets richer and creamier as it opens up. The bit of bottle age is significant to the complexity as the youthful acidity has softened into the background to allow a more natural buttery-ish texture to come in, yet you can still get the coastal and zesty fruits to come through. A Californian wine that doesn't taste like it could have come from anywhere and everywhere, this is distinct and delicious.

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