2016 | The Hilt | Vanguard Chardonnay

Orange blossom, freshly baked apricot brioche, cinnamon and flinty nuances. Tense and energetic with notes of crunchy pear and a lovely frame of gentle, toasty oak. Generous fruit and savory salinity push through on the long and refined finish.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: The 2016 Chardonnay Vanguard aged 11 months in 85% new French oak before finishing in stainless steel for six months. It opens minerally with scents of crushed shell, smoke and gunflint, slowly giving up lime pith, orange blossom, hazelnut, pastry crust and stone fruits. It's vibrant and minerally in the mouth, with light to medium weight, tangy acidity and a chalky texture, finishing long. 497 cases produced.

Producer Information

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.

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