Mission Codename Oceans 19
We get all goosebumpy and wide eyed around here when a killer single vineyard Chardonnay deal from one of our favorite producers shows up.
Like we start doing strange dance moves up and down the hallways. Did Agent Cru just do the worm past my office door?
I mean, c’mon - Sangiacomo fruit! When we first stumbled upon Ocean’s Churning at the Sonoma Garagiste festival, this was the wine that floored us.
Proprietor/winemaker Raj Iyer prefers to stay under the radar, yet full of passion, exuding a calm, classy demeanor. His wines are absolutely captivating. Beautiful inside and out.
Dan Berger for the Napa Valley Register describes Oceans Churning Chardonnays as “sublime… an extraordinary attempt to replicate what the Chablissiene have done for centuries… with all the delicacy of their district but with none of the oaky flavors that make for a richer wine.” As can be attested here, they truly are dead ringers for top-of-the-line Chablis.
This strikes a balance between that lush California style and the crisp, lean, steely style. It’s buttery, but not overly so. With a creamy mouthfeel, it stacks plenty of ripe fruit up front and center. Citrus peel, lime, honeydew melon, pear, pineapple, and lemon verbena with vanilla custard on top. Stony minerality underneath. Pure, sublime, crystalline as a waterfall in the wilderness. Just outrageously good, and a perfect bottle to enjoy with baked brie tonight or will age gracefully for at least a few more years.
Comparable Chardonnays go for $65 these days, so what you’re saving here a bottle will get you a dozen oysters with it. Really good ones that will go really well with this.
Only 4 barrels made - that’s a meager 90 cases for the world. Easily half gone by now… oh, and it’s also got a Gold Medal to boast from the 2022 Orange County Wine Competition but that’s not only why you should grab this by the case, it’s sublime juice!
What the Winery Says
2019 Single Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
- Winemaker
- Raj Iyer
- Varietal
- 100% Chardonnay
- Vintage
- 2019
- Appellation
- Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
- Vineyard
- Sangiacomo Green Acres
- Clone
- Old Wente
- Alcohol
- 14.1%
- Total acidty
- 7.5 g/L
- pH
- 3.3
- Harvest date
- September 15, 2019
- Bottling date
- March 25, 2021
- Aging
- 17 months
- Barrels
- 5-7-year-old French barriques
- Production
- 4 barrels