Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman are one of the most dynamic winemaking duos in California. Their Sandhi lineup focuses on some of the most electrifying Burgundy-style Chardonnay on the West Coast. This 2022 doesn’t merely promise the “cool climate” character that characterizes the best white Burgundies—it delivers, and then some. It’s a brave new world out there for Chardonnay lovers, and Parr/Moorman are right at the forefront—this is not to be missed!

The wine was fermented with only ambient yeasts in a combination of used French oak barriques and larger oak puncheon. It aged briefly in neutral barrels before its recent release, so it is still youthful and fresh—give it a quick splash-decant to accelerate its aeration and you’ll encounter a beautifully ripe and aromatic Chardonnay lifted by freshness. In the glass, it’s a medium straw-gold with hints of green at the rim, with bright aromas of lemon curd, nectarine, yellow apple, citrus, chamomile, and wet stones. It is medium-bodied, with Sandhi’s signature mix of texture and tension—its depth is expressed in persistence, not weight. Decant it 15 minutes or so before service in all-purpose stems and put its crystalline freshness to work with some Pacific seafood if possible: Santa Barbara Spot Prawns always leap immediately to mind when Central Coast Chardonnay is at the table, but all types of seafood are welcome. Squeeze on plenty of lemon and enjoy—you won’t miss white Burgundy one bit!