Dawn’s Dream Winery, Arroyo Seco (Monterey County, California) Chardonnay “Beau Reve” 2021 ($38)

The “Dawn” in the name is Dawn Galante who started her own brand in 2011 and still works with the family’s Galante Vineyards. Her wines are available at the tasting room in Carmel by the Sea and part of the proceeds go “to help women and children at risk.” Among many wines produced, her Beau Reve Chardonnay is aged for a year in French oak, 85% new. This is a class-act Chardonnay starting with an aroma of ripe pear with some oak toast and jasmine. It is solid and compact on the palate, delivering vibrant ripe pear and lemon-tinged flavors wrapped in light oak. There is a lengthy mouth-watering finish. This is a most impressive Chardonnay from the Arroyo Seco AVA.
94 Norm Roby