Sea Smoke Chardonnay "Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard" 2021
(Santa Rita Hills, California)
Regular price $150.00 Sale price $129.99 Save $20.01
About the Winery:
When producing world-class Pinot Noir, location is everything. For years, vintners have coveted a stretch of land in the western end of Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills AVA known to have the perfect microclimate, soils, and exposure to grow world-class Pinot Noir. In 1999, fulfilling a long-held dream of owner Bob Davids, this sought-after stretch of land became Sea Smoke Vineyard.
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay come exclusively from the estate vineyard and are biodynamically farmed.
About this Wine:
Our estate-grown Chardonnay fruit was picked and hand-sorted in the vineyard before spending the night in our cold room. Chilled grapes were softly pressed and the juice was gently pumped into a stainless steel tank and cold settled. Once the heavy solids were removed, the juice was racked to a stainless steel fermentor, then inoculated for primary fermentation. Following primary fermentation, the wine was racked to barrels, inoculated for malolactic fermentation, then periodically stirred to enhance depth and mouthfeel.
Tasting Notes:
An elegant Chardonnay with aromas of mango, honeysuckle, fresh cut pear and honeydew. These are complemented by nectarine and a slight nuttiness in the focused mid-palate and the refreshing cool climate acidity of our estate vineyard
Technical Information
Appellation Santa Rita Hills
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Source: Exclusively Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.8% by volume
pH: 3.38
Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
Barrel Aging: 10 months
Oak Profile: Exclusively French Oak—24% New Barrels
Release Date: September 2023
Ratings & Reviews
93 Points - James Suckling (2020):
"Aromas of sliced apple, flint and smoke with some yogurt and nougat. Hints of vanilla, too. Full-bodied with tropical-fruit flavors, together with stones, cooked apples and a hint of oak. Plenty of fruit, yet tied in at the end. Drink or hold." (Mar 2023)