The Hilt The Old Guard Chardonnay 2017
-
Jeb
Dunnuck
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Tropical, perfumed and pure. Lifted nose with guava, feijoa and gooseberry. Honey notes and a green edge reminiscent of fresh herbs (sage and mint). Terpene-like nuance. So inviting and captivating. Chalky and bracing on the palate with pink lady apple and laser-like acidity. A blend that wows with its precision and individuality. Lithe and savory. Long and so refreshing. Finishes with touch of oyster shell and salt. A fascinating and unique wine in this world.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Possessing a hint of green in its gold color, the 2017 Chardonnay Old Guard comes from the oldest vines on the property and is brought up in neutral oak. It offers a racy bouquet of salted citrus, sliced apple, crushed mint, and lots of stony minerality. This carries to a tight, racy, yet concentrated Chardonnay that has terrific balance as well as length. Hide bottles for 3-4 years and it should cruise in cool cellars.
Other Vintages
2016-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
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.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.