Sea Smoke
Estate Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
Sta. Rita Hills, Central Coast, California, USA
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe tropical, stone and citrus fruits: pineapple, peach, lemon/lime meringue, and seashell and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and full of limestone minerals. This is a balanced and rather delicious SRH Chardonnay. Drink now through 2030.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe tropical, stone and citrus fruits: pineapple, peach, lemon/lime meringue, and seashell and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and full of limestone minerals. This is a balanced and rather delicious SRH Chardonnay. Drink now through 2030.
Mar 13th, 2025
AG nailed the numbers on the 09. What’s impressive about this is that it has plenty of runway ahead of it. Toasted almonds and a hint of pineapple on the nose, while the palate reveals honey, peach and caramel notes. Displays stature and grace, with soft acidity. No rush to drink this. I don’t see it further improving with age.
AG nailed the numbers on the 09. What’s impressive about this is that it has plenty of runway ahead of it. Toasted almonds and a hint of pineapple on the nose, while the palate reveals honey, peach and caramel notes. Displays stature and grace, with soft acidity. No rush to drink this. I don’t see it further improving with age.
Jun 18th, 2018A butterscotch and brioche rush on the nose, which flows through to the palate. Apricot and citrus notes on the mid palate. Lovely acidity and oak treatment. This has evolved to better place since the last time I tasted this vintage.
A butterscotch and brioche rush on the nose, which flows through to the palate. Apricot and citrus notes on the mid palate. Lovely acidity and oak treatment. This has evolved to better place since the last time I tasted this vintage.
May 27th, 2018
Big rich and Oaky. Very well made and if you like the style then hell yea
Big rich and Oaky. Very well made and if you like the style then hell yea
Mar 9th, 2018Always a great chard, but the 15 is not up there with the 11, 12, 13 or 14. Typical Sea Smoke signature of honey, brioche and butterscotch. I anticipate that this will improve with age.
Always a great chard, but the 15 is not up there with the 11, 12, 13 or 14. Typical Sea Smoke signature of honey, brioche and butterscotch. I anticipate that this will improve with age.
Jul 27th, 2017
13' Sea Smoke Chardonnay. Tasted better as the evening continued. Very average bottle.
13' Sea Smoke Chardonnay. Tasted better as the evening continued. Very average bottle.
Jun 10th, 2017
Bourbon and Carmel cream notes. Fresh fruit and vanilla on finish but a touch more RS than expected
Bourbon and Carmel cream notes. Fresh fruit and vanilla on finish but a touch more RS than expected
Jan 16th, 2017A great expression of the varietal, but not as tight as prior vintages. This is more delicate and restrained. A lighter structured wine, which is not built for long-term aging.
A great expression of the varietal, but not as tight as prior vintages. This is more delicate and restrained. A lighter structured wine, which is not built for long-term aging.
Nov 27th, 2016
Simply delicious after about 15 mins of airtime to let any of the malos blow off.
Simply delicious after about 15 mins of airtime to let any of the malos blow off.
Jul 25th, 2024
As usual, Sea Smoke does an incredible job ensuring the oak integration with their Chardonnay’s is seamless. It’s there and you get some almond nuttiness and hints of ginger on the nose and palate but there is plenty of bright apple and citrus to balance it. I would expect this one to get better over the next couple years.
As usual, Sea Smoke does an incredible job ensuring the oak integration with their Chardonnay’s is seamless. It’s there and you get some almond nuttiness and hints of ginger on the nose and palate but there is plenty of bright apple and citrus to balance it. I would expect this one to get better over the next couple years.
Jul 16th, 2024