Winemaker Notes
Varietal purity and sense of place are emphasized here with new world fruit meets old world-like structure. Beautifully aromatic and engaging, with bright and pure aromas of ocean breezes, citrus zest, and almond kernel. Melon and white flower scents follow, leading the way to an inviting taste. Upon the first sip, the richness of flavors is supported by superb natural fruit acidity from the underlying Limestone-rich bedrock. Overall, a vibrant wine whose California accent speaks with hints of old Europe.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Chardonnay HMR Estate Vineyard was barrel fermented and matured for nine months in 30% new French oak. It has pure, alluring scents of warm peaches, quince paste, honey, graham cracker, toast and allspice. The medium-bodied palate boasts expansive, hedonistic, mouth-coating flavors, a balance of energetic acidity and a long, flavorful finish.
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Vinous
The 2022 Chardonnay HMR Vineyard is impossible to ignore—rich and vibrant, with a burst of tropical citrus contrasting savory herbs and crisp green apples. This is elegant in feel, weighty yet energetic, with a core of savory spice and hints of tart citrus that embellish its tart orchard fruits. The 2022 takes on a grippy feel through the finish, youthfully tense and nearly salty, tapering off long and wickedly fresh. Élevage incorporated only 23% new French oak
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Wine Spectator
There's a freshness to the ginger, Key lime and apple flavors in this snappy white, with notes of Himalayan sea salt, candied green apple and yuzu on the sleek, aromatic finish. Drink now. 460 cases made.
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.
Paso Robles has made a name for itself as a source of supple, powerful, fruit-driven Central Coast wines. But with eleven smaller sub-AVAs, there is actually quite a bit of diversity to be found in this inland portion of California’s Central Coast.
Just east over the Santa Lucia Mountains from the chilly Pacific Ocean, lie the coolest in the region: Adelaida, Templeton Gap and (Paso Robles) Willow Creek Districts, as well as York Mountain AVA and Santa Margarita Ranch. These all experience more ocean fog, wind and precipitation compared to the rest of the Paso sub-appellations. The San Miguel, (Paso Robles) Estrella, (Paso Robles) Geneso, (Paso Robles) Highlands, El Pomar and Creston Districts, along with San Juan Creek, are the hotter, more western appellations of the greater Paso Robles AVA.
This is mostly red wine country, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel standing out as the star performers. Other popular varieties include Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache and Rhône blends, both red and white. There is a fairly uniform tendency here towards wines that are unapologetically bold and opulently fruit-driven, albeit with a surprising amount of acidity thanks to the region’s chilly nighttime temperatures.