Liquid Farm Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2019

The 2019 Chardonnay White Hill is energetic and pure, with scents of lemon peel, tangy yogurt, crushed shell and hazelnut. The palate is shimmery and perfumed, with nutty tones hinting at more savory complexity to come with bottle age. It has a fine, chalky texture that anchors the very long finish, and the overall style nods to a great Chablis.

The 2019 Chardonnay White Hill is a wild, exotic wine. Freshly cut flowers, mint, peach, crushed rocks and slate all race across the palate. This is an especially taut style. There is a hint of reduction that will probably dissipate in bottle. I am more concerned with the volatile acidity, which is at the limit of what most readers are likely to accept. Vineyard sources are Kessler-Haak, Clos Pepe and La Rinconada.