Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Steel Chardonnay opens with aromas of fresh yellow peach and ripe nectarine, with bright, crisp acidity. On the finish, the wine delivers notes candied pineapple and hints of citrus zest. This is the perfect wine to pair with a spring brunch or halibut crudo in a citrus ponzu.
Blend: 94% Chardonnay, 6% Grüner Veltliner
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
An unoaked wine that shows all the freshness and verve of the chardonnay grape. Crisp apples, Bosc pears, lemon zest and hints of minerals on the palate. It's medium-bodied, well-balanced and appetizing.
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Wine Enthusiast
Strong stone aromas introduce the nose to this stainless bottling, which also picks up hints of Pink Lady apple and lemon verbena. The palate is zesty in lime-pith acidity, offering tropical hints of guava peel toward the finish.
Exhibiting the casual graciousness of Santa Barbara County, Lincourt Vineyards was named after Bill and Carol Foley’s two daughters – Lindsay and Courtney and marked the beginning of the Foley Family of wines. Founded in 1996, Lincourt produces boutique, ultra-premium estate wines from the acclaimed Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Handcrafted, small-lot bottling showcases the character of each vineyard site and bear the names of the women who influenced and shaped Bill’s life including his wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. The quaint 1926 Sears Craftsman Kit home serves as Lincourt’s charming tasting room and hospitality space.
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.