Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Chardonnay Mae Estate Vineyard pours a very light, crystalline yellow color, yet its weight and depth belie that translucent hue. Chalky and powdery in texture, it's a wine of excellent harmony and nuance that sings in perfect resonance all the way from start to finish. A fleshy, rich stone fruit profile leads the charge but, highlighted by shades of salty minerality and an almond-oil-like richness that lends a viscosity to the mouthfeel. Another excellent 2023 Chardonnay from Justin Willett.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Chardonnay Mae Estate opens with a lovely bouquet of citrus curd, fennel and pastry cream, followed by a spongey, pure and succulent palate. The finish is understated and driven by an even-keeled finish that lingers with bright, chiseled acidity. This is a stellar example of the northern corridor of Sta. Rita Hills, and it will be an increasingly formidable presence in the Tyler roster as the vines mature.
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.