Winemaker Notes
The fresh and floral nose signifies the brightness and life in this taut and savory blend with the notes of chamomile, kumquat, white peach and gunflint. The savory character is the reminiscent of toasted hazelnuts and rosemary. Pure and focused on the attack with the perfect touch of toast from the new French barrels delivering roundness and structure. It resembles the taste of the Pear tart along with the slightest hint of malolactic fermentation which is reflected in the generosity of the mid palate and the creamy notes on the finish. It also leaves the flavors that show off the citrus oil-like qualities often found in these blends.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Chardonnay Vanguard spent 11 months in 90% new French oak, of which it's soaked up just about every trace. Offering up lots of crushed rock, green citrus, lemon curd and a touch of brioche, it's medium-bodied and nicely textured on the palate, with a slightly more rounded, fleshy texture than the nose would have led you to believe. Balanced, lively and focused, it will be better this time next year and drink nicely through 2023.
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Wine & Spirits
"It’s a dose of California sunshine in a glass," said Rob Renteria of SF’s La Folie when he tasted this wine. It’s definitely sunny, but more cool-morning than hot-afternoon light, its golden pear and apricot flavors and the vanilla tones of its oak turning toward crisp, mouthwatering freshness in the end—rich and lively, and textbook Santa Barbara.
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.