2021 Crossbow Chardonnay North Coast 750 ml

To those who think Sonoma has the market cornered on classic North Coast Chardonnay—Lake County would like a word. 

Wine Enthusiast said Lake County produces “intensely distinctive wines,” and it’s ideal for making Chardonnay with satisfying richness, balance, and tension. The terrain is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Just north of Napa, these rugged hills—born of ancient volcanic tumult—rise dramatically from the banks of the state’s largest natural lake. Sunlight blankets the land. The mountain air is clear and crisp. 

Despite a surge of interest from big names like Andy Beckstoffer, Lake County denizen Clay Shannon owns a 2,000-acre swath of the area’s most coveted land. And his team is behind the delightfully aromatic 2021 Crossbow Chardonnay. 

On first pour, it hits you with notes of lemon curd and yellow apple, which give way to honeysuckle and jasmine. It’s rich but not dense, creamy in texture, with enough freshness to keep it in beautiful balance. With a few years already behind it, the wine feels polished, with everything in its place. 

Lake County is acclaimed for its Cabernet, but it can produce some captivating Chardonnay too. The region’s warm afternoons help develop richness, while cool nights and high elevations preserve vibrant acid. The volcanic soils contribute to concentration and minerality. 

In these hills, Shannon has created a self-sustaining farm that eschews herbicides and uses sheep to graze the cover crops—a commitment to sustainability that shows in the purity of their wines. He gave his 2021 Crossbow a modest six months in French oak, rounding out its flavors and refining its texture. It’s a wine that shows Lake County has a lot to say in the world of classic California Chardonnay.