Lot 880 2021 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay
A ripe, rich, utterly delicious Arroyo Seco Chardonnay from a longtime family producer whose history with California Chardonnay is unmatched! And at a steal of a price!
With their deep connection to that variety, they’ve consistently delivered our #1 selling Chardonnay, and it’s back—and better than ever. We’ve said many times that Monterey County, where Lot 880 was sourced, over-delivers at the intersection of quality and value. The cool climate region of Arroyo Seco, situated southeast of Monterey Bay with direct exposure to the Pacific Ocean, is one of California’s smallest AVAs. The area’s fog and wind mitigate the low annual rainfall (thanks to the rain shadow created by the Santa Lucia Mountains to the west), creating a perfect environment for premium Chardonnay grape growing.
The grapes in Arroyo Seco ripen during warm afternoons but retain loads of natural acidity because of the cooler, windy nights and misty mornings. One thing is for sure, this is a Chardonnay for the unabashed lover of ripe-fruited, creamy, toasty-oak-driven, and downright delicious Chardonnays—the kind that only California is capable of producing.
This Arroyo Seco Chardonnay’s golden hue offers only hints of great things to come—explosive aromas of ripe, yellow apple, Bosc pear, and sumptuous oak tinged with baking spices and vanilla. All those rich aromas make appearances on the palate, which offers a round, creamy mouthfeel and deep, concentrated flavors balanced by the fresh and lively acidity of grapes grown in Arroyo Seco. Bruised yellow apple and caramelized pear mingle with candied apricots, woven around a tapestry of lavish oaks spices, finishing long and buttery. Simply put, this is a ripe, rich, utterly delicious Chardonnay.
Watch as Katy Long, Director of International Wines for VWE walks us through a tasting.
A GUIDE TO PAIRING CALIFORNIA-STYLED CHARDONNAY