Winemaker Notes
Stylistically inspired by Chablis. All Sta. Rita Hills vineyards, barrel fermented and aged 10 months in neutral French Oak. A crisp Chardonnay that highlights Sta. Rita Hills unique minerality.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Chardonnay White Hill has pretty aromas of toasted meringue, honey, roasted almonds, matchstick and white peaches. The palate has a luxurious, mouth-coating texture, youthfully coiled, mineral-driven fruit and an ethereal finish with savory nuances.
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Jeb Dunnuck
I loved the bouquet of the 2021 Chardonnay White Hill, which is bright and layered, with ripe citrus, melon, minty herb, and floral aromas and flavors. These carry over to the palate, where it's medium-bodied and has up-front, sweet fruit, good overall balance, and outstanding length. The palate is a touch simple compared to the bouquet, but this is still a beautiful Chardonnay.
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.