About this wine (2008 Vintage):Santa Maria Valley is a quiet sanctuary of golden hills and well-groomed vineyards located three hours north of the glitter and bustle of Los Angeles. For more than 20 years, we have been producing hand-made wines from our family-owned estate on the region’s famed Santa Maria Bench. Our Chardonnay thrives in the unique soils and cool, maritime microclimate of our south facing, benchland site. Our sustainable farming methods and small lot winemaking techniques are designed to produce wines of great character and substance.
What Does It Taste Like?
This Chardonnay has aromas of fresh pineapple, white peach, pear, and green apple. The same fruit characters are on the palate and are accentuated by a bright, balanced acidity and subtle oak spice. The finish is lingering, clean and crisp.
Ratings / Reviews:
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2008 vintage):"Bright yellow. Lemon zest, green apple and orange on the pungent nose, with a sexy floral quality adding complexity. Juicy, faintly warm citrus flavors give way to deeper pear and melon with air. Creamy pear and honeydew notes linger on the finish, which echoes the floral note." - Josh Raynolds (Nov/Dec '10)
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2008 vintage):"The 2008 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard shows good varietal character and fine balance with well-articulated fruit and an attractive, clean finish. Though a bit oaky, this is otherwise a strong effort, particularly considering the production of 24,000 cases. The wine was fermented in oak barrels (25% new) and aged on its lees with batonnage for seven months. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014." - Antonio Galloni (Aug 2011)
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2007 vintage):"Bright yellow. Complex aromas of musky pear skin, lees, iodine and oak spice. Deep but lively, offering moderately sweet orchard fruit flavors and a strong lashing of brown spices. A zesty mineral quality lingers on the long, spicy finish." - JR, Nov/Dec 2009
Connoisseurs' Guide (2007 vintage):"This one may be a few dollars less pricey than its stablemate below, but we like its more open, fruity style and its mix of Meyer lemon, vanilla and chalky notes. Its flavors are delivered along with a pleasantly supple entry impression, and if the wine firms up a bit at the back, that is to its good as well in that it invites service with dishes ranging from the sweeter white fishes like Sole Amandine to baked chickens with pan gravies. GOOD VALUE"- June 2009
