Nielson Winery Nielson Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2022 750ml

This is a very satisfying Chardonnay at a fair price, starting with familiar aromas of toasty coconut and juicy white peach on the nose. The palate is broadly laid across flavors of buttercream, lemon and passionfruit, with sandy tannins providing textural depth.

This bottling, formerly from a historic site in Santa Barbara County but now 75% from Monterey County, brings a lot to the table for a favorable price. Aromas of citrus sorbet and wet stone lead from the nose into a palate offering brisk apple, more citrus and high acidity. (Matt Kettmann)