Fossil Point, Edna Valley Chardonnay

On the nose a pastry and crumble affair, with vanilla creme, ripe peach and a touch of orange rind, very like a Meursault. On the palate it’s very similar… crisp minerality, oaky, buttery goodness with spice notes of star anise and ginger, great depth and salinity, and a toasty finish – absolutely gorgeous and just how we like it.

The grapes are hand-picked, whole-cluster pressed, and cold-fermented in a selection of stainless steel tanks and neutral French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation balances levels of acidity and battonage (lees stirring) is carried out several times monthly to build texture and creaminess.

Fossil Point Chardonnay pays tribute to the bond between sea and vine. Named after Fossil Point, a rugged headland with sweeping views of the Pacific coastline less than five miles from the winery on California’s Central Coast.

Its bright natural acidity and fresh character reflects the minerality of its Edna Valley vineyards and the climatic influence of the Pacific Ocean. Sunny afternoons give way to brisk marine breezes. The growing season, too, is directly shaped by the seasonal flow of the currents and surface temperature of the ocean. Even the vineyards’ calcareous shale and coarse sand soils originate from the ancient ocean floor, weathered into place over millennia.

The combination: rich, oak-aged Chardonnay balanced by notes of salty minerality and cool, fresh acidity.