Winemaker Notes
This wine showcases notes of Meyer lemon, river rock, chalk, tangerine zest, and white flowers, with bright acidity and a tense yet satisfyingly round mouthfeel. Its vibrant and mineral-driven character pairs beautifully with sushi, raw oysters, crudo, ceviche, steamed mussels, or sole piccata.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Chardonnay White Hill spent eight months in neutral wood and two months in stainless steel before bottling. A snappy, flinty nose of crushed stones and citrus curd introduces a silky, bright palate that straddles zesty energy and soft, luscious texture. It finishes on a crisp, clean note flanked by a subtle, pleasant creaminess.
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.