Pale yellow-gold. Displays Meyer lemon, pear and honeydew melon aromas, along with hints of sweet butter and candied ginger. Silky and focused on the palate, offering subtly sweet pear nectar and lemon curd flavors and a touch of smoky lees. Clings with strong authority on the finish, which shows bright tension and spicy cut.

The 2019 Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands is also terrific. Coming from a great, cooler region south of Monterey, it has a vibrant nose of melon and ripe orchard fruits as well as some spice and toasty notes. Balanced, medium-bodied, and nicely textured, with a juicy spine of acidity, it's well worth seeking out and would be one heck of a house white to drink over the coming couple of years.