2022 Racines Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

96 POINTS: Aromas of white tea, jasmine, and a Meursault-like wet stone minerality lead the nose. On the palate, bright lemon and Fuji apple are layered with a subtle note of dried apple skin. The wine concludes with a salty, oceanic finish that evokes its coastal origins – sourced from the oldest Chardonnay vines in the Sta. Rita Hills, this bottling comes from a gently north-facing slope with thin, shale- and chert-rich soils—no doubt enhancing its mineral structure. While compelling now, it promises to evolve beautifully over the next five years, perhaps developing a more savoury, umami-rich expression, as the overtly floral and fruit-driven nose integrates gracefully into something more refined.