Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This excellent, restrained bottling is compelling. Lemongrass, kaffir lime and lemon-lime aromas lead into a palate laced with fresh, high-toned citrus notes. More exotic touches of sweet onion, yuzu and wet slate complete the experience.
Editors' Choice. -
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
In most cases of highly-oaked Chardonnays, I have found myself rebelling from the obvious use of oak barrels. But in the 2015 Morgan Double L Vineyard, there is an excellent synergy of fruit and oak that makes the wine work well—beautiful fruit richness, barrel accents, and earth notes. Pair with lobster in a light cream sauce. (Tasted: May 9, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Spectator
Rich and powerful flavors of pear tart, toasted coconut and tangerine are supported by fresh acidity. Creamy midpalate, with a fresh finish that lingers with dried sage and spice details. Drink now through 2020. 1,250 cases made.
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.