2021 LIOCO Chardonnay Sonoma County 750 ml

Wine Access members have raved about LIOCO’s Sonoma County Chardonnay, calling it “one of the finest Chardonnays I've tasted” and “absolutely beautiful.” Well, it’s back, and thanks to the 2021’s collection of prime vineyard sources and sustainably farmed grapes, it packs just as much Golden State glory as the ones that inspired those reviews.

“It’s amazing how much the addition of these high-pedigree sites elevates the blend,” proprietor Matt Licklider told us. The 2021 has aromas of green apple and chamomile, and the palate’s bright acidity and limestone minerality balance the rich fruit, leading into a long and cleansing finish.

That minerality and acidity is what makes this wine so food-friendly, and what has put LIOCO on the tables of MICHELIN-starred restaurants like SingleThread and The French Laundry.

LIOCO is a Wine & Spirits Top 100 producer, and they harnessed stellar Sonoma sources for this mineral-rich Chardonnay. The vineyards include Piner, Occidental, and one the winery refers to as “Burnside,” which sits on a cold, windy hill next door to the acclaimed Littorai estate and gives the wine its bracing acidity.

For the philosophy behind this wine, look no further than the bottle itself. It shows a topographic map of the Russian River Valley watershed, from which the wine is primarily sourced. “Many of the world’s great wine values are made by blending regional vineyards,” Matt said. “On California’s wild North Coast, this concept is especially resonant.”

By carefully melding grapes from their best and most expressive Sonoma sites, LIOCO has put forth a truly sumptuous mosaic of Sonoma terroir. Pairing opportunities abound, but try it with some seasoned chicken cutlets or even a king crab tostada.