The Hilt
The Vanguard Chardonnay
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, USA
medium lemon yellow; lemon curd, pineapple, brioche, white flowers, hint of smoke; medium body, medium+ acidity, 13.2 % ABV, lovely balance; sourced 56% from Sanford & Benedict and 44% from Solomon Hills, aged 11 months in 90% new French oak, 50% malolactic fermentation
medium lemon yellow; lemon curd, pineapple, brioche, white flowers, hint of smoke; medium body, medium+ acidity, 13.2 % ABV, lovely balance; sourced 56% from Sanford & Benedict and 44% from Solomon Hills, aged 11 months in 90% new French oak, 50% malolactic fermentation
Oct 20th, 2019
Still incredible Chardonnay..honestly, chablis grand cru like...apple/ripe pear, creamy with piercing minerality...stellar
Still incredible Chardonnay..honestly, chablis grand cru like...apple/ripe pear, creamy with piercing minerality...stellar
Oct 14th, 2019Lemon curd/lemon meringue, pear, slight green apple, vanilla, baking spices, acid med + acid..almost like grand cru chablis?? Acid still holds it all together. Stan Kroenke owner...ambitious story..Sta Rita hills special Chardonnay...I like it..paired well with roasted shrimp...
Lemon curd/lemon meringue, pear, slight green apple, vanilla, baking spices, acid med + acid..almost like grand cru chablis?? Acid still holds it all together. Stan Kroenke owner...ambitious story..Sta Rita hills special Chardonnay...I like it..paired well with roasted shrimp...
Dec 25th, 2018Great drinker..had with salmon..i feel med body, creamy, small amount of alcohol..lower booze. Honestly great mix between french chardonnay and big napa oaky chardonnay (cooler climate?) ...elegant, not terribly complex.
Great drinker..had with salmon..i feel med body, creamy, small amount of alcohol..lower booze. Honestly great mix between french chardonnay and big napa oaky chardonnay (cooler climate?) ...elegant, not terribly complex.
Jan 26th, 2017
Shows Santa Barb has some Chard Chops. Lots of orchard fruit with decent body. Didn't get any butter here. I want seafood.
Shows Santa Barb has some Chard Chops. Lots of orchard fruit with decent body. Didn't get any butter here. I want seafood.
Aug 29th, 2016
Elegant - nice but a bit pricey at $55 retail
Elegant - nice but a bit pricey at $55 retail
Apr 22nd, 2017
Opened unexpectedly as I need a base for turkey gravy, I'm out of stock, and all the stores in my town are closed. As long as this holds up to flour and drippings my gravy will present a nose of crushed gravel. Palate of lemons, nuts, and a dash of cream. The complexity should be decent but the finish will be on the sour side for my taste which will impact the overall rating. Decent QPR (for the wine, not the gravy). Happy holidays everybody!
Opened unexpectedly as I need a base for turkey gravy, I'm out of stock, and all the stores in my town are closed. As long as this holds up to flour and drippings my gravy will present a nose of crushed gravel. Palate of lemons, nuts, and a dash of cream. The complexity should be decent but the finish will be on the sour side for my taste which will impact the overall rating. Decent QPR (for the wine, not the gravy). Happy holidays everybody!
Dec 25th, 2016Crystal clear in the glass. Funk on the nose with a little mint. Lemon butter palate. Oily finish. Full bodied. Not very refined (in a good way) but maybe time will bring that. Decent value I'd buy again.
Crystal clear in the glass. Funk on the nose with a little mint. Lemon butter palate. Oily finish. Full bodied. Not very refined (in a good way) but maybe time will bring that. Decent value I'd buy again.
Nov 19th, 2016
Really nice. Great acidity not too much oak. Great with a piece of grilled fish
Really nice. Great acidity not too much oak. Great with a piece of grilled fish
Apr 17th, 2016