Winemaker Notes
Loquat, lime, light and lilies. Especially perfumed vintage with melon, chamomile and lime peel. Floral, lifted and inviting. Nuance of citrus blossom and quince. Notes of hazelnut and almond emerge with time. The showstopper of the vintage for me. So much going on with this wine. Full of kinetic energy, potential for future development and most importantly... immediate pleasure. Sings out of the glass. Apricot and nectarine lead the generous and luxurious attack. The expansive fruit on the palate is balanced perfectly by classic Hilt acid lift and structural backbone. The wine remains framed and balanced. Nothing sticks out. Long finish with sea salt, honey, dried apricot, brioche and electricity. Ready to bring joy to your table. Irresistible bottle.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a layered yet expertly restrained and mineral-driven Chardonnay. Aromas of white flower petals, grapefruit pith and the slightest hint of toast are wrapped in ashy and chalky elements on the nose. The palate is vibrantly tight with rock and citrus peel flavors, exhibiting a brilliant acidity. Drink now–2040.
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James Suckling
Aromas of pie crust dough, lightly cooked apple and white peach. Dried flower. Flinty. Mineral. Medium-bodied with creamy texture and citrusy at the end.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Chardonnay Estate is terrific and has classic Sta. Rita Hills character. Salted citrus, melon, white flowers, and a kiss of peach all emerge on the nose, and it’s medium-bodied, with a supple, elegant mouthfeel, outstanding balance, and a great finish.
Wines defined by place, style and time. In the southwest corner of Sta. Rita Hills AVA lies a rugged, windswept, coastal vineyard, called The Hilt Estate; estate grower producer of stunning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reflective of this dynamic corner of California.
Pushing the limits; in the farthest southwest reach of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA is home to Radian & Bentrock Vineyards, these vineyards dictate The Hilt style.
The numerous microclimates and unique soils provide a multilayered backdrop to create 3 unique expressions: Estate, The Guards, and Single Vineyards.
In 2014, Matt Dees, Ruben Solorzano & team took on operation and farming of Radian and Bentrock Vineyards and shifted to precise sustainable & organic farming to transform and revitalize the soil.
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.