Paul Lato Chardonnay "Goldberg Variations" Hyde Vineyard

Opened the bottle 90 minutes before service - no decant. In the glass, clear pale-medium yellow-gold. On the nose, honeysuckle and oak. On the palate, tight and focused, with lemon, thyme, and a bit of smoke, and lean acidity running through all the way to the finish. I wanted a bit of minerality to balance things out, but no dice.

Very distinctly Carneros AVA Chardonnay. Do much prefer Lato's 2018 vintage No. 1 Hyde Vineyard.