The Hilt Estate Chardonnay 2017
The Hilt Estate Chardonnay 2017, is the first white bottling from this site. The wine was raised in French oak, about half new, with a small portion in stainless steel barrels. It’s flaxen-hued, shiny, and its fragrance suggests citrus peels and lemon thyme. Silky and suave. Supple and light on its feet while also displaying a sumptuous level of fresh white peach. Seamless. Apricot, honeysuckle and a hint of tropical fruit. Charged with a lovely flint reduction and just a touch of savory oak. Makes ones mouth water just to smell as the nose even hints at the freshness and vibrancy in the glass. Weaves a captivating web between acid, fruit and mineral. Definition of liquid sunshine.
Still holding its cards close. Just getting started in its graceful evolution. Stony. White peach, rose petals, and green mango with subtle hints of oak. Peach and custard brioche. Silky texture with classic Vanguard lime zest character. Gains richness and complexity as it begins to stretch its wings with time and air. Full of tension and defined by its reserve but wrapped in a luxurious package of velvet fruit. A classic Vanguard that will benefit from a few years in the cellar.
The Hilt is defined by its three maritime influenced vineyards in the southwest corner of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation: Radian, Bentrock and Puerta del Mar. 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.
The Estate wines are defined by the fruit and flavors of our little southwestern corner of the Sta. Rita Hills. They speak of the nuances and complexities of our properties as a whole. These wines take into account the many aspects, clones, soil types, and other properties of our estate. They give us the maximum amount of blending components and represent the most complete wines in our portfolio.
