P'tit Paysan Chardonnay Jackss Hill 2018

Ptit Paysan Chardonnay Jackss Hill is made from 100% Chardonnay

Oak: Combination of neutral oak (2% new French) and stainless tanks

This wine comes from a few vineyards at the base of Jack's Hill, planted on the distinct iron oxide granite that dominates the east side of Salinas Valley, directly east of Sleepy Hollow North.
Bright, crisp and clean with orchard fruit giving way to an intense minerality.

Review:

"Hints of lime blossoms, toasted nuts and wood smoke show on the nose of this very fairly priced bottling, whose previous vintages have been shown to age magically. Wood-fired pears and apples show on the palate, which will please both those seeking a bit of oak and those who enjoy a racier style of Chardonnay."
- Wine Enthusiast (June 2018), 89 pts

Le P'tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot

11 months on lees in French oak barrels (3% new)

Le P'tit Paysan offers intense blackberry, dark cherry aromas, chocolate, herbaceous and toasty notes on the palate. Medium-bodied, well-balanced with moderate and integrated tannins that give structure and liveliness to the wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from two vineyards, a 44 year old vineyard planted in the calcareous alluvial deposits of the San Benito River and a 25 year old vineyard east of Gilroy, which grows in deep, extremely sandy soils against the foothills of the Diablo Range. The Petite Verdot from the Paicines AVA and grows in rocky alluvial deposits above the Tres Pinos arroyo. All three vineyards experience the warm days and cold nights typical of the Central Coast, allowing these late ripening Bordeaux varieties to be picked at high acidity and moderate sugars. Fermented whole berry in several lots with endemic yeasts, pressed after approximately 20 days. Aged for 11 months (3% new) French barrels. A beautiful example of ‘old school’ California Cabernet made with minimal intervention from mature vineyards.

Pairs well with steak, duck, game, hearty stews, ribs, and dark, rich sauces.

Argot Simpatico Ranch Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

Powerful aromas of key-lime, white flowers, orange blossoms and a fierce, flinty, sauvage note define a wildly complex nose. Once in the mouth, gracefully pronounced textures coat the palate delivering an exotic interpretation of cool-climate Chardonnay character — lime peel, orange blossom, ginger and clove —lingerings deep into a vibrant finish.

Planted 1978. Shallow volcanic soils on the gently-sloped, south-facing foothills of Bennett Peak on Bennett Valley’s floor. One of California’s coolest Chardonnay vineyards. In the final year of 3-year draught cycle, Simpatico Ranch saw its earliest ever harvest and smallest crop, exposing a reserve of exoticism and minerality previously untapped. A watershed vintage for both the vineyard, and appellation. Night harvested by hand on 9/16, whole-cluster pressed direct to barrel; no settling to ensure maximum lees contact. Barrel fermented on heavy lees. Malolactic fermentation. 16 months in French oak, 50% new. Finished 2 months in steel tank, low Sulphur during barrel elevage.

Review:

"The 2018 Chardonnay Simpatico Ranch is a step up, offering more of everything, including more focus and precision. Beautiful notes of ripe orchard fruits, toasted brioche, hazelnuts, and floral nuances flow to a richly textured, medium to full-bodied Chardonnay with a layered texture, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It’s another terrific wine from this estate. It opens up nicely with air and I suspect will evolve for 7-8 years, if not longer."

- Jeb Dunnuck (January 2021), 96 pts

Le P'tit Paysan Le Ptit Pape is made from 62% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 14% Mourvedre, 3% Counoise, 2% Cinsault

Oak: Mixture of one and twice used barrels for 11 months and puncheons

Playful interpretaion of a domestic, baby, Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Cherry blossoms, dusty road, red plums, herb de Provence. Rosewater and red cherry on the palate, nimble with medium body. Grippy finish with firm Grenache tannins and hints of olive and sagebrush.

Fermented in several lots ranging from 0-50% whole cluster. Fermeted to dryness on skins.
Aged in neutral barrels for 11 months. From limestone rich soils

Review:

"Ian Brand is dedicated to making great, regionally expressive wines at affordable price points, and this food-friendly blend of 62% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 14% Mourvèdre, 3% Counoise and 2% Cinsault is the centerpiece. Aromas of wild thyme, sagebrush and cranberry lead into a lighter yet lively palate full of chaparral spice, cracked pepper and zesty red fruit. Serve with anything."
- Wine Enthusiast (June 2018), 92 pts, Editors' Choice

"Pairs elegant fruit with a zesty sense of gaminess, accented by dried cherry, smoky dried herb and subtle leather hints that take on richness toward the refined tannins. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Cinsault. Drink now through 2024. 1,580 cases made. –TF"
- Wine Spectator (April 2018), 91 pts

Sunset Hills Shenandoah Springs Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

This is our first release of a clone-specific wine for Sunset Hills. The goal is to show you a specific terroir, one that year after year delivers excellent fruit quality. I chose clone 96 for its complexity both in ripening and barrel aging. During ripening, the fruit has notes of pineapple and pear with great acidity. I saw this wine as a chance to highlight not only the vineyard, but how detailed we can get in growing and making wine.

100% Chardonnay:

75% Clone 96
20% Clone 76
5% Clone 17

Notes of light honeysuckle, Asian pear, raw almond, and lemon custard. Medium body and medium acid.

Lismore Chardonnay Reserve made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

Shows intense citrus and soft fruit layered with honey and vanilla carried by a distinct minerality and crisp acidity with a lingering citrus finish.

Coming from a 13 year old vineyard with decomposed shale oiver clay soils. 
Fermented and aged 11 months in 500 liter French Oak Foudres (40% new). 
Wine was slightly filtered before bottling.

Delightful with warm curries which lift the aromatics or a traditional pairing of smoked salmon highlighting the fresh acidity.

Review:

"Sam O'Keefe's Reserve bottling all comes from her picturesque estate in Greyton and is an impressive wine in 2018. The wood is better integrated than it was in the previous release, possibly because of the use of 40% malolactic fermentation. Citrus, pear and passion fruit flavors are supported by minerality, stony acidity and subtle wood spices. Delicious. 2019-25 Greyton (13.5%)"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Special Report), 95 pts

The 2018 Estate Reserve Chardonnay is aged for 11 months in 500-liter barrels, 30% new oak. It has a little more amplitude on the nose compared to the 2017 Chardonnay, and its aromas of citrus fruit, wet limestone and orange zest unfold gently. The palate is very well balanced with a fine line of acidity that cuts through the intense orange zest, apricot and white peach fruit. This is taut and wonderfully focused with just the right amount of salinity on the finish. Outstanding.

-- Neal Martin Vinous 95 Points