Winemaker Notes
The grapes were hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. Whole cluster pressing
preserved the fruit flavors with medium acidity. Barrel fermentation in 29% new
French oak and partial malo-lactic ensure the wine’s silky richness and medium
body. This focused, elegant chardonnay’s aromas feature Asian pear, graham cracker, and baking spices. On the palate, aromas are complemented by a light touch of toffee and Nilla wafer.
Incredibly food-friendly, the Highland Chardonnay is a perfect match for cream-sauced pastas, roast pork, and seafood.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
White peach and creamy butter aromas are cut by steely minerality on the nose of this bottling. The palate shows a strong oak streak, with flavors of toasted nut and creamy stone fruit.
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.