The Hilt Estate Chardonnay 2015
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Enthusiast
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Dunnuck
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Parker
Robert
Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
The 2015 vintage of the Hilt Chardonnay opens with a sumptuous nose. Like walking into a kitchen baking tarte Tatin. Aromatic notes of citrus oil, baking spice, golden peach, custard, loquat and plumeria flower. Concentrated and rich with the 2015 decadence, yet remains buoyant and fresh. Light touch of oak adds depth to the finish that features palate-cleansing vigor.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Lime pith, butterscotch, chilled pineapple and lemon meringue aromas show on the nose of this winery's entry-level bottling. The palate is nicely chiseled, with a tight frame and wound up freshness revealing grapefruit zest, Pink Lady apple and a touch of flint and gunmetal flavorings.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Made with the idea to be more approachable than the two special cuvees, the 2015 Chardonnay succeeds wonderfully and offers tons of juicy citrus, pineapple, and white flowers notes in a classy, balanced, textbook Santa Barbara County style. It's ideal for drinking over the coming 3-4 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County has a very pretty grapefruit and yuzu-scented nose with hints of honeysuckle, toasted almonds and lemongrass. Medium-bodied, with a lovely line of racy acid lifting the elegant citrus flavors, it finishes with great length and mineral nuances.
Other Vintages
2020-
Enthusiast
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Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb
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Dunnuck
Jeb
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Dunnuck
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Spirits
Wine &
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
Wines defined by place, style and time. In the southwest corner of Sta. Rita Hills AVA lies a rugged, windswept, coastal vineyard, called The Hilt Estate; estate grower producer of stunning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reflective of this dynamic corner of California.
Pushing the limits; in the farthest southwest reach of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA is home to Radian & Bentrock Vineyards, these vineyards dictate The Hilt style.
The numerous microclimates and unique soils provide a multilayered backdrop to create 3 unique expressions: Estate, The Guards, and Single Vineyards.
In 2014, Matt Dees, Ruben Solorzano & team took on operation and farming of Radian and Bentrock Vineyards and shifted to precise sustainable & organic farming to transform and revitalize the soil.
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.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.