Opolo reaches south for the fruit in this Chardonnay offering to the somehow still under-sung Edna Valley AVA. There is a bit corn in the nose on first pop of the bottle, but you’ll have no trouble swirling that off to reveal floral, quince and mild butterscotch aromas. It’s nice and dry on the palate, with zippy fresh apple fruit and medium oak toast, and it finishes long with a fresh acidic kiss. You heard me talking about 2021, and bottles like this continue to show it as an exceptional vintage.
Opolo Vineyards, Edna Valley (San Luis Obispo County, California) Chardonnay 2021
By Rich Cook