The last couple of nights I have uncracked a vineyard/producer new to me – the 2016 Varner ‘El Camino Vyd’ Chardonnay [Santa Barbara Cty]. It’s quite good, even if not in my usual wheelhouse of plumper California blanc. It’s 14.2% which is higher than what it ‘feels’ like on the palate where its lighter, crisper, and apple driven. I do get some hints of stone, citrus on the nose but its not an overly perfumed blanc at this stage. This drinks nicely over a number of days, even improving, so I would expect this to continue to keep well. It was right out of the fridge when I took the picture, so there is some condensation on the glass, which makes the color a little harder to discern. For those who like an acidic lift to their wine, consider this producers whites. For my palate its on the cusp between an A and B in my grading chart, but most AFWE / WB would give it the higher notch.
Interestingly I just listened to some podcasts on the history of the IPOB movement, as well as another Jon Bonne one, and the Varner fits in well