{"product_id":"the-hilt-estate-chardonnay-2023","title":"The Hilt Estate Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSA LOW PRICE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 points Vinous Media\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDrinking window:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2025\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e-\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2031\u003cbr\u003eThe 2023 Chardonnay Estate is a blend of Bentrock, Radian and Sanford \u0026amp; Benedict, three of the very finest sites in the region. The 2023 impresses with its perfectly integrated acidity right out of the gate. Taut, mineral-drenched citrus fruit and chalk run through a focused, driven, linear Chardonnay with great salty character and a supremely crisp. This is an excellent introduction to the range and the house style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatt Dees and the team at The Hilt really outdid themselves in 2023, as these are some of the most impressive wines I’ve ever tasted from this estate. The Hilt comprises two of the finest—and most marginal—sites in the Sta. Rita Hills, Bentrock and Radian, both of which turn out incredibly complex, mineral-driven Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah of the highest level.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe 2023 vintage at The Hilt was not for the faint of heart. “It was a difficult year for powdery at The Hilt and throughout much of the county. It was just such a mild summer, and the temperatures and conditions were perfect for our little fungal friend to linger and threaten the crop late into the vintage. It was likely the worst we had seen since 2008. Just a really long battle that had to be fought. We eventually harvested exceptionally clean fruit, but it wasn't easy,” said Dees. All that effort was certainly worth it, as the wines are tremendous.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn 2023, the Bentrock Chardonnay came from north-facing blocks that are shielded from the fierce winds that can batter these sites, while the Radian Chardonnay emerged from exposed, west-facing hillside parcels. Both wines saw slightly less time in barrel (11 months) followed by somewhat less time in tank (6 months) than is the norm here. The results are spectacular, particularly the Bentrock, a magnificent, dynamic wine that is only to be outdone by the 2023 Chardonnay Vanguard. The Vanguard is primarily Bentrock with the inclusion of a small portion from Solomon Hills, a vineyard that has sadly been ripped out due to disease. The Vanguard is one of the finest Chardonnays I’ve ever tasted from California. Full stop. The reds at The Hilt are no slouches either. Radian delivered very tiny clusters in 2023, which yielded a wine of sheer vertical intensity. Any way you spin it, The Hilt is a source for some of the very best wines in California.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Santa Rita Hills","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44165162500230,"sku":"ADV-TheHilt-EstateChard","price":37.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0075\/0338\/0543\/files\/TheHiltEstateChard.png?v=1784217911","url":"https:\/\/www.winesolutions.com\/products\/the-hilt-estate-chardonnay-2023","provider":"Wine Solutions","version":"1.0","type":"link"}