2011 Arnot-Roberts, Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains.
The Pacific Ocean influenced Arnot-Roberts Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay is a totally unique terroir driven wine that highlights a huge sense of place and of course the talents of Nathan Roberts and Duncan Arnot, who are very much rising stars these days, if not established all ready. This delicious white was whole cluster pressed, fermented in stainless and allowed to ferment with natural native yeast strains then transferred to neutral French casks, making for a vibrant and pure express of the grape and allowing the vineyard site to shine through. This 2011 Chardonnay is intensely fresh in style with a streak of mineral and sea salt along with zesty acidity heightening the verve and flavors that include lemon, white peach, green apple and pear fruits along with hints of clove, hazelnut and dried fig. The vivid layers are sharp and focused, but with air the wine starts to fill out and gain density, hinting that there is more to come here and while now the finish is crisp, bright and mouthwatering there is a certain roundness and texture too. This is a very well crafted wine with elegant character and excitement, drink now through 2018.
($32 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
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