Racines Sandford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

This Chardonnay is sourced from the same blocks, and crafted alongside, Justin Willett’s bottling for Tyler Winery. It goes to barrel with less gross lees than the Tyler iteration, sees more battonage, as well as a longer elevage in a combination of 500l, 350l and 228l barrels. The result is an interesting conundrum of a more textural and weighty wine but one that simultaneously comes across as more subtle in flavour, and has an almost ghostly, ethereal finish. Recommend to stock up but sit on for two years or so. (ML) (6/2020)

The 2018 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict is a gorgeous, complete wine that captures all the magic of this Sta. Rita Hills site. Creamy and textured in the glass, with striking dimension, the 2018 opens beautifully over time. Like all of these wines, the S&B is understated in feel, but here there is lovely textural depth as well. Apricot, mint and tangerine oil linger on the supple, open-knit finish. (AG) (8/2020)