Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The Brea story is pretty simple. Broc Cellars Winemaker/Owner Chris Brockway combined with Tim Elenteny—the libations master behind TE Imports—to bring wines to the market that are, in their own words, "site-specific, terroir-driven, and sustainably-farmed." The 2016 Brea Wine Chardonnay from the La Estancia Vineyard is a prime example of their excellent work. TASTING NOTES: This wine is pure, pert, and dynamic. A touch of wood and creaminess pleasingly accents its aromas and flavors of bright apples and lively minerality. Pair its crisp finish with Dungeness crab in drawn sweet organic butter. (Tasted: September 25, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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.