2014 SOLOMON HILLS CHARDONNAY

Santa Maria ValleyCHSH

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I love the fine fruit and excellent balance this vineyard gives. Solomon Hills is on the western edge of the Santa Maria Valley Appellation, so it’s climatically very cool. Planted to the Dijon clones of chardonnay, it has none of the typical California style of tropical fruitiness. It’s all lemon curd, pine and minerals–making it a great match with rich chicken dishes made with lots of cream.

More about the Vineyard..

The soils of Solomon Hills Vineyards are composed primarily of ocean floor sandy loams. Because it is the western most vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley appellation, it is perhaps the most maritime of all vineyards in this growing region. With the Pacific coastline only miles away, a constant maritime influence results in wines of crisp acidity, bright fruit and an inherent balance. Developed in the late 1990’s, it didn’t take long for both wineries and wine critics alike to take notice of the quality of the fruit coming out of Solomon Hills Vineyards. The Solomon Hills Vineyards takes its name from its neighboring hills named for Salomon Pico, a celebrated bandit who in the 1850’s traveled frequently along the stretch of El Camino Real that is known today as Santa Maria Valley. Pico’s life was so colorful that it is believed by many to have inspired the legend of Zorro.

Blend: 100% Chardonnay | Alc: 13.0% | Vinification: Barrel Fermented in 10% New French Oak | Barrel Aging: 11 Months | Total Production: 372 cases

Press Reviews

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“Lemon confit, mint, white flowers and chamomile are some of the signatures in the 2014 Chardonnay Solomon Hills. Ample and creamy on the palate, the Solomon Hills is one of the most overt, dense Chardonnays in the Ojai range. Structurally, it reminds me of the style of Pinots that come off this site. Readers should expect a relatively intense Chardonnay (by Ojai standards) with tropically-leaning overtones that develop over time.”- AG 93 Points

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“A bigger, richer wine is the 2014 Chardonnay Solomon Hills, which comes from a terrific site in the Santa Maria Valley, just to the southwest of Bien Nacido. It offers ample apple, brioche, flowers and spice characteristics with a beautiful saline quality on the finish. Medium to full-bodied, layered and perfectly balanced, enjoy this classic Santa Barbara County Chardonnay over the coming 5-7 years.”- JD 93 Points