Ceritas
Marena Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
I’ve had a few different Ceritas wines, but not all. This was my first experience with their entry level Marena Chardonnay.
If this is what age can do for this type of wine, I can’t imagine what their single vineyards show like with time. I expected this to show well, but didn’t expect it to show really well! Right out of the gate, a small hint of matchstick, sweet honeysuckle, and grilled lemon aromatically. High quality Chablis-like on the palate. Not sure of oak use, but it’s not steely. There’s mineral-like vibes to it, but everything comes back to underripe tropical fruit and meyer lemons. Drank it alongside other wines, but food would make it shine.
I’ve had a few different Ceritas wines, but not all. This was my first experience with their entry level Marena Chardonnay.
If this is what age can do for this type of wine, I can’t imagine what their single vineyards show like with time. I expected this to show well, but didn’t expect it to show really well! Right out of the gate, a small hint of matchstick, sweet honeysuckle, and grilled lemon aromatically. High quality Chablis-like on the palate. Not sure of oak use, but it’s not steely. There’s mineral-like vibes to it, but everything comes back to underripe tropical fruit and meyer lemons. Drank it alongside other wines, but food would make it shine.
Great intro to Ceritas if you are new to John Raytek’s wines.
Great intro to Ceritas if you are new to John Raytek’s wines.
Jan 19th, 2019
Great acid backbone with the sweetness of the Cali fruit starting to show a bit more. These are slow to evolve so I’d say it’s in a solid place.
Great acid backbone with the sweetness of the Cali fruit starting to show a bit more. These are slow to evolve so I’d say it’s in a solid place.
Dec 30th, 2018
While Cali Chardonnay is not usually where I find my happy place, this is pretty damn drinkable. There's an engaging tension for me, lots of rich but not over ripe fruit for the cali-chardophiles. Makes everyone happy.
While Cali Chardonnay is not usually where I find my happy place, this is pretty damn drinkable. There's an engaging tension for me, lots of rich but not over ripe fruit for the cali-chardophiles. Makes everyone happy.
1 person found it helpfulMay 23rd, 2017
Loads of lemon/ citrus. Oak is invisible. Riper end of Ceritas chards. Some fleshy texture sandwiched between the citrus and the acid that's on the finish. Delicious and refreshing chard. Even better than my first bottle.
Loads of lemon/ citrus. Oak is invisible. Riper end of Ceritas chards. Some fleshy texture sandwiched between the citrus and the acid that's on the finish. Delicious and refreshing chard. Even better than my first bottle.
Jun 21st, 2017
Celebrating Lulu McAllister's final service at Nopa. Godspeed, veritas en ceritas!
Celebrating Lulu McAllister's final service at Nopa. Godspeed, veritas en ceritas!
Jan 4th, 2017Very tasty. With neutral oak and bright, citrusy acidity comes through. Crisp and linear.
Very tasty. With neutral oak and bright, citrusy acidity comes through. Crisp and linear.
Dec 25th, 2016
When in Rome...
Not too often I pay more than the delectable "buy now" price...this time almost double. I keep trying to recreate the first bottle of Ceritas I had...doesn't work. fine and enjoyable but it's not anything special. Except it's not standard Cali Chardonnay...
When in Rome...
Not too often I pay more than the delectable "buy now" price...this time almost double. I keep trying to recreate the first bottle of Ceritas I had...doesn't work. fine and enjoyable but it's not anything special. Except it's not standard Cali Chardonnay...
Extremely piercing acid, like biting into a large lemon. Slight hint of creaminess that eventually dissipates.
Extremely piercing acid, like biting into a large lemon. Slight hint of creaminess that eventually dissipates.
Oct 19th, 2019The Marena more-so than the other Ceritas chards is marked by its bright acidity and youthful verve. Enjoyed the 14 a bit more than the 13 or 15. It’s a little more approachable early on.
The Marena more-so than the other Ceritas chards is marked by its bright acidity and youthful verve. Enjoyed the 14 a bit more than the 13 or 15. It’s a little more approachable early on.
Feb 17th, 2018