Winemaker Notes
On the nose, beautiful aromas of ripe white fruits with hints of caramel. The luscious palate exhibits flavors of ripe peaches, tangerine, and white cherry fruits, accented with subtle toasty oak notes. The texture is crisp yet rich, extending through a beautifully long, finely focused finish. This is a superb example of one of California’s finest vineyards.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Delivers white peach and nectarine flavors that mingle with a touch of salted caramel in the background. Supple and elegant, but also fresh and vibrant, with mandarin orange, candied ginger, fresh lime zest and orange blossom details on the long, lush finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Lemon bar, pastry and jasmine aromas make for a toasty, inviting nose on this bottling. The palate is layered in butter, with hints of apple sauce, cinnamon and vanilla making for a familiar and rich expression.
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.
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.