Drink of the Week: Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2024

Few wines are as misunderstood as Chardonnay. It’s easy to see why, too. First of all, wine is confusing. Full stop. Additionally, Chardonnay varies from rich and buttery to lean and flinty, depending on its origin and production. That expressiveness is one reason I was excited to try Flowers 2024 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. 

Made with fruit from organically harvested vineyards on the windy shoreline of California’s Sonoma County, this Chardonnay has distinctly coastal energy. It’s bright and lively, with racy acidity, elegant roundness, and minerally complexity on the long, food-friendly finish. I poured glasses to serve with a roast chicken. But I imagine it would be equally delicious with shellfish tacos, grilled or roasted white fish, root veggie-packed grain bowls, and more.

In the wine world, many people bemoan the heavily oaked state of many of the high-ticket Chardonnays from nearby Napa. To them, and to anyone who prefers Bourgundian-style white wines, I’m pleased to report that Flowers’ latest is no butter bomb. Fermented in 20 percent stainless steel and 80 percent French oak barrels, and then aged another 16 months in barrels before bottling results in a textured and balanced wine. If you’re the sort of person who ages bottles in a fridge or cellar, I see this one continuing to impress for years. $44.99, vintagewinecellars.net.