2023 Samuel Louis Smith Chardonnay, Spear Vineyard
"Clean and austere aromas of seared lemon and delicate honey meet with subtly tropical hints of ginger and lemongrass on the dynamic nose of this bottling. The palate is tense and vibrant, showing waves of white melon and Asian pear as the vivid acidity pushes deep into the finish. " -Matt Kettmann, 96WE
"Smith started his winemaking career in Santa Barbara and maintains a connection through the 2023 Chardonnay Spear Vineyard, a mountainous site at 600- to 900-feet elevation, planted in 2014. Capturing its saline minerality and profound florality, it smells and tastes of wild chamomile, with rounded apricot, crème caramel, and vanilla fleshing out its smooth, light to medium-bodied edges. Age through 2033." -Jeb Dunnuck, 95JD
Samuel Louis Smith is a micro-négociant based in Salinas, CA, focused on some of the coolest sites of the Central Coast. Mountainous terroir, organic viticulture, and minimal intervention in the cellar are tenets of the brand. SLS presents a compelling cross-section of the Central Coast, focusing on chardonnay, gamay noir, pinot noir, and cool-climate syrah from Santa Barbara, Monterey, and Santa Cruz. The brand embodies a neoclassical style where lower alcohol and higher acidity, stem inclusion in the reds, and native fermentations with little to no additions create wines of place and purity, aroma and structure.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
