Scar of the Sea Bassi Vineyard Chardonnay 2022

Scar of the Sea is the project of Gina and Mikey Giugni, working across ten sites on California's Central Coast where cold Pacific air holds ripening in check. This Chardonnay comes from the Bassi Vineyard, farmed organically with minimal intervention. Coastal fog and sea breeze extend the growing season, so the fruit keeps its acidity and develops flavour slowly, while the maritime setting lends a faint saline edge. Seventeen months in oak drives the wine's texture: slow oxygen exchange through the barrel softens the acids and adds structure, lees contact builds a rounded, savoury weight, and partial malolactic conversion turns sharp malic acid into softer lactic tones. The result is medium gold in the glass, with white peach and lemon on the nose lifted by hazelnut, beeswax and a light toast from the wood. The palate is broad but firm, carrying stonefruit and citrus through a long, mineral finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees in a white Burgundy glass.