2024 Chardonnay

The wine

The shift from tart fruit to a supple middle gives Oceano Zero’s 2024 Chardonnay its appeal. Citrus arrives with bright, mouthwatering acidity, then orchard fruit gives way to a softer, buttery character. That progression makes the glass interesting: freshness and roundness both have a place, with enough acidity to give definition to the light body.

Pale gold in the glass, this alcohol-removed Chardonnay leads with citrus aromas. A suggestion of grapefruit sits alongside a mellow buttery note, anticipating the balance of fruit and texture that follows. The palate is dry and relatively light, but the middle feels supple. A subtle saline edge supplies a savory counterpoint to the tart fruit and rounded butteriness. The wine’s richness comes through as a change in texture and flavor across the sip.

The close continues that movement toward softness. Citrus gradually falls away while the gentle buttery note carries on, giving the finish a richer character than the opening. It is that transition, rather than weight, that makes the wine satisfying. Lively acidity and a rounded middle work together, and the saline accent adds another dimension to the fruit. A refined Chardonnay whose balance rests on the relationship between citrus freshness and supple texture.