Three Sticks Gap's Crown Chardonnay 2024 (750ml) *

Cool-climate Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast tends toward restraint over flash, and this bottling from Three Sticks fits that mold. The fruit comes from Gap's Crown Vineyard, a site in the coastal reaches of Sonoma where fog and marine influence keep the grapes bright and slow to ripen. The 2024 is a single-vineyard California Chardonnay built for finesse rather than weight.

Understated and pretty, it leans on subtlety rather than power. Lemon confit and a touch of marzipan sit alongside white flowers, sage, and dried herbs, all woven together with an easy grace. Nothing shouts; the pleasure is in how neatly the pieces fit, giving a nuanced, classy wine that rewards attention.