2020 Racines Bentrock Chardonnay
"The Chardonnays from Racines shine, and this bottling from Bentrock Vineyard stakes a claim for the Sta Rita Hills at a sweet spot for a Chablisenne minerality in the Golden State. The mineral precision from this wine is enthralling; aromatics of petrichor and smoked salt are followed by grilled lemon peel. The palate is a lean, thirst-slaking, hyper-focused mineral with crushed chalk, seaspray and lime leaf. There is a depth of mineral here that is complemented by savoury flavours and citrus, but those both take a back seat to the wine's sheer stony, briny brilliance. (Drink between 2023-2034)." -Decanter, 94DE
When two of France’s most storied producers unite to create world class wines that rival their homegrown bottlings, the wine world takes notice. Burgundy's Étienne de Montille and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne house, Pierre Peters, settled on the Santa Rita Hills due to its cool climate and highly varied soils. Initially they partnered with Justin Willett (Native9, Tyler) to be their onsite co-producer, but after he purchased Fiddlestix Vyd, they realized that a full-time, ‘in-house’ producer was needed, and pried Ryan Hannaford away from Oregon’s Evening Land and Patricia Green vineyards.
