Chardonnay 'Rinconada'

Score

96

Score

95

Score

94

"Lying just to the west of fabled Sanford and Benedict Vineyard, the Rinconada Vineyard was the first certified organic vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills. The 2021 Rinconada chardonnay comes in at an even thirteen percent in this vintage and is again, just a touch reductive when first poured and in need of a bit of decanting time if drinking young. Once it has had a chance to stretch its wings, it shows a beautiful aromatic panoply of fresh pineapple, pear, a hint of passion fruit, discreet notes of iodine, a fine base of soil tones and just a touch of oak influence. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and complex, with lovely mid-palate depth of fruit, fine transparency and grip, bouncy acids and a long, succulent and impeccably balanced finish. This is gorgeous this year! 2023-2040."

Score

93

Score

95+

"The 2021 Chardonnay Rinconada Vineyard outperforms the Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay this vintage. It has singular aromas of grilled peaches, panna cotta, toast and wafts of matchstick, its detail and layering drawing me back to the glass again and again. The light-bodied palate has a core of mineral-driven fruit that, combined with the wine's tangy acidity, creates a shimmery impression. It has a long, latent finish and won't reach its full potential until it's had several years in bottle to unwind."

Score

94

"Sashi Moorman,s interpretation of La Rinconada vineyard is super smoky when first poured, leading with scents of lime pith and lemon zest. With air, a pure apple-like fruit emerges. For all the fruit expression there,s mineral intensity here, pithy and electric, which broadens the texture and provides lift and length."

Score

93