It’s no secret that we’re card carrying members of the John Raytek fan club. Our recent deep dive into Ceritas’ deftly structured, high toned Cabernets is one of many giveaways. And while we’d happily walk through fire for his Pinot Noirs, it’s the Ceritas Chardonnays that have always truly tugged at our heartstrings. There is a specific kind of magic in these bottles; a tension between earth and fruit that feels less like a drink and more like an experience.
To understand why the 2023 Marena Chardonnay is such a knockout, you have to look at the bigger picture. Raytek didn’t just make great wine; he and a small circle of purists were instrumental in helping California "right the Chardonnay ship." During an era when the state was synonymous with over-extracted, butter-drenched oak bombs, Ceritas offered a masterclass in restraint. They proved that California sunshine didn't have to mean heavy wine, paving the way for a new guard of winemakers focused on transparency and site-specificity.
The Marena bottling, in particular, serves as the perfect introduction to this philosophy. It is lean, complex, fresh, and impossibly elegant. These wines helped to redefine the ceiling for domestic Chardonnay, trading richness for nervy acidity and a chiseled minerality that rivals the best of the Côte de Beaune. In the 2023 vintage, that signature "Ceritas cut" is on full display, offering a saline streak and citrus zest that keeps you coming back.
Beyond the Marena, we were lucky enough to snag a small allocation of Pinot Noir and the very last of the Cabernet, so if you’re looking to add some reds to the mix, we have you covered. To make things even sweeter, we’re extending this week’s discount to those two bottlings as well. Consider it the perfect excuse to build your own Ceritas three pack. Either way, you’ll want to move fast and stock up; pricing like this is a rare bird and once they flee the coup, it’s very unlikely that they will ever return.
Ceritas West Sonoma Coast Chardonnay Marena 2023 - $64.99
Ceritas West Sonoma Coast Costalina Pinot Noir 2023 - $64.99
Ceritas Cabernet Sauvignon Colima 2021 - $84.99
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