Winemaker Notes
Aromas of lemon, kiwi, orange blossom, and sweet basil. Flavors of jasmine, lime, ginger, and minerals.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A bright bouquet of honeyed citrus, preserved lemon, apple and beeswax, framed by a touch of nutmeg. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, finishing with good length and grip.
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Wine Spectator
Intense flavors of honeydew melon and pear tart dominate this supple white. The richly spiced finish shows some pastry notes.
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.