2020 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Chardonnay Estate Monte Bello Vineyard opens with streaks of matchstick and dried hay over a core of white peach and acacia, and as it spends time in the glass it blossoms to reveal alluring spicy and herbal undertones. The light-bodied palate is refreshing and gently creamy, with restrained, flint-streaked fruit and a long, floral finish. It's drinking well but could use another 2-3 years in bottle, or a few hours in the decanter.
Critic scores
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A very creamy textured white with sliced cooked apple, crushed stones and chalk. Some burnt lime, too. It\'s medium- to full-bodied with a delicious finish. Drink now.
Coming from the estate vineyard on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the 2020 Chardonnay Estate has a beautiful nose of honeyed lemon blossom, crushed stone, toasty oak, and a touch of reductive-like minerality. This carries to a brilliantly balanced, medium-bodied Chardonnay with a round, layered mouthfeel, good acidity, and a focused style that should age gracefully for 7-8 years, if not longer. While many of these wines fall outside the “Central Coast,” I was able to taste a full lineup from Ridge and am happy to include these wines here. Going forward, the Sonoma releases will be covered by my colleague, Audrey Frick.
Light smoky aromas, butter and roasted nuts. Plenty of lactic feel and flavour – milky and soft. Slightly reductive giving a touch of matchstick scent. Lighter than most California Chardonnays, perhaps even a little lean? (RH)
About the producer
Best known for its iconic Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards makes some of California’s finest wines – particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Long a pioneer of sustainable farming and minimal-intervention winemaking, Ridge makes an extensive range from Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains.