2023 marks the inaugural bottling of Sweeney Road Aligoté, commemorating Burgundy’s lesser-known white grape and one of the greatest vintages for the Sta. Rita Hills in a generation. The nose is alive and focused, bringing oyster shell, honeysuckle, green and white tree fruits and a light grassiness to an expansive, lees and cream-forward drink of wine with zip and florality. This will pair wonderfully with vegetable and herb accents that can be difficult for Chardonnay. It may be counting chickens before they hatch, but we suspect a bright, if niche future for Aligoté.