Winemaker Notes
Melville chardonnay continues to blur the line between what a “California Chardonnay” is or is not. Aromatics of clementines and underripe pineapple are followed by a kiss of Pacific Ocean breeze. A harmonious tug-of-war between texture and tension creates a wonderfully balanced wine with mouthwatering notes of pineapple core, Japanese pear, and orange blossoms. The laser- focused acidity and touch of ocean minerals really bring this wine together, creating a long and refreshing finish. Overall, this is an elegant and nuanced chardonnay that showcases the purity of the fruit, restraint, and the unique terroir of Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Enjoy with grilled shrimp or fish and chips!
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Lemon balm and pithy aromas meet with a light dairy touch on the nose of this bottling. The palate is extremely textural and grippy in all the right ways, showcasing bright lemon and light yogurt flavors.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Spiced apple, melon, chalky mineral, and hints of leafy herbs all emerge from Chad's 2022 Chardonnay Estate Sta. Rita Hills, a medium-bodied, vibrant, beautifully balanced Chardonnay that shines on all accounts. With nicely integrated acidity, a pure, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Chardonnay Estate has gregarious aromas of baked apples, almonds, dried hay, bread dough and candle wax. The medium-bodied palate is plush and rounded with an understated core of honeyed fruit, vibrant acidity and a long, fragrant finish.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.