The 2022 Three Sticks Gap's Crown Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a standout white wine from the North Coast region of California, specifically the Sonoma Coast appellation. Produced by Three Sticks, this varietal Chardonnay showcases the meticulous craftsmanship and distinctive terroir of the area. The wine is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
The 2022 vintage has garnered significant praise from professional reviewers, each highlighting its complex and balanced profile. Decanter awarded the wine a score of 93, noting its "ample oak character" and describing it as "generous and balanced" with a mix of "oak spice, nutmeg, spiced pear, florals, and lemon curd." The tasting notes emphasize the wine's opulent palate, featuring "honeyed stone fruits, petrichor and saline framework," and a finish marked by "honeyed ginger, tangerine peel, ripe pear flesh, dashes of nutmeg and cardamom and a saline tingle."
Wine Enthusiast gave the wine an impressive score of 96, emphasizing its "bright, focused apple and lemon aromas" that anchor the nose. Reviewer Tom Capo highlighted the wine’s "clean and lively" palate, which displays flavors of "Honeycrisp apple, with tangerine and lemon winding up the intensity." Capo also praised the wine's "long, complex and mouthwatering finish," noting the beautifully integrated French oak.
Wine Spectator also rated the wine highly, giving it a score of 95. They described it as "wonderfully intense and vibrant," with generous flavors of "Key lime, quince, pear and Honeycrisp apple" on a "taut, mouthwatering frame." Accents of "tarragon and lemon verbena" and a note of "crunchy sea salt" on the energetic finish further enhance its profile. Wine Spectator recommends drinking this wine now and notes that only 450 cases were produced.
In summary, the 2022 Three Sticks Gap's Crown Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a highly acclaimed wine with a complex flavor profile and exceptional balance. It is characterized by its vibrant fruit flavors, subtle oak influence, and a refreshing saline finish.