Winemaker Notes
Complex and balanced, this single vineyard Chardonnay has aromas of citrus, toasted hazelnut, and white flowers. This wine shows the classic Sta. Rita qualities of minerality and crisp acid to balance the full palate. This versatile wine will pair well with a range of cuisines, but will shine alongside fresh crab, grilled salmon or Caesar salad.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Well-structured, with concentrated green apple and nectarine flavors that are supported by plenty of fresh acidity. Pure and minerally on the finish. Drink now through 2022.
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.