To begin, this was one of the most elegant Chardonnays I have tasted, and I had to look at the label to see if it really came from CA. In the future, I will conduct a blind tasting, with a few wine friends, putting the Sill against a $135 Puligny-Montrachet. I am predicting Sill will be hands-down winner at half the price…Stay tuned!
This hand-crafted Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged in mostly French oak (guessing a small amount of new oak, if any, as oak is not dominating the wine as most CA Chardonnays do) ending with some time in steel tanks which provides an elegant freshness to the wine. The terroir for this Chardonnay is perfect, cool wind swept Sonoma Coast Petaluma Gap, with clay like volcanic soils. Great depth of gentle fruit aromas with floral and a mineral character. On the palate layers of subtle extraordinary fruit, apricot and poached pear with spiced lemon and a touch of light almond toast, luxurious yet has a powerful savory freshness. Very well balanced, layered with elegance and persistent length that ends with a graceful minerality. Truly outstanding, will continue to improve over the next decade if you are disciplined enough to cellar a few bottles, not me, this is gorgeous now! Grab a few bottles before they are gone! Tasting Sample!
Cheers!