2015 Highland Chardonnay 1.5L
Chardonnay, the most popular white wine varietal. A noble grape, originally from Burgundy, now with its world-class reputation firmly established in the best coastal region of the New World.
With each vintage of Highland Chardonnay, we showcase the unique attributes of our Double L Vineyard and the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The 2015 cuvee includes 67% fruit from the Double L and the balance from outstanding neighboring estates in the SLH, including McIntyre and Tondre. The Double L Vineyard has been “Certified Organic” since 2002 but has been conscientiously farmed in this method since the original plantings in 1997.
The grapes were hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. Whole cluster pressing preserved the fruit flavors and natural acidity. We barrel fermented in 32% new French oak, along with a combination of one and two year old and neutral barrels. Partial malo-lactic fermentation ensured a creamy richness balanced by bright fruit acidity.
This focused, elegant Chardonnay’s aromas feature lemon, butter croissant, and summer squash. On the palate, the rich fruit flavors are complemented by a light touch graham cracker and salted butter caramel. Incredibly food-friendly, the 2015 Highland Chardonnay is a perfect match with cream-sauced pastas, roast chicken and pork, and seafood.
Wine Specs
93 Points
"Golden color; smooth, vanilla and spiced nose; silky and lush with toasty new oak and rich pear and juicy citrus fruit; elegant and balanced, graceful and long with depth and
considerable finesse.” - Anthony Dias Blue, August 2017
91 Points
"Medium-light to medium golden yellow; attractive, forward, slightly buttery, lemony, green apple aroma with some toastiness in the background; medium-full body; nicely balanced, fleshy, tangerine, green apple, and stone fruit flavors with bright acidity and a slight creaminess in the mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended."
- California Grapevine, August 2017
90 Points
"The 2015 Chardonnay Highland has an alluring nose of honeyed peaches, lightly buttered toast, spiced apples and ginger with a touch of chopped almonds. Medium-bodied with a toasty/savory palate, it gives a great core of stone fruit and spicy flavors, finishing long and refreshing." - Lisa Brown, September 2017
90 Points
"Creamy but not overly buttery aromas meet with Anjou pear, honeysuckle and marcona almond notes on the nose of this popular bottling from one of the region's stalwart producers. The palate combines nutty qualities with lemon peel and sharply acidic apple flavors."
- Matt Kettmann, December 2017