Sanford 2011 La Rinconada Vineyard Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)

Country: US / La Rinconada Vineyard
Variety: Chardonnay California
Winery: Sanford / Sta. Rita Hills

This wine doesn’t hold back from the representative California-style on its rich and strong nose: candied apples, browned butter, vanilla candies, sea salt caramel, browned marshmallow, even some Olroso Sherry tones. Yet the palate brings it all into focus, with bitter peach skin, pithy lime and grippy apricot playing the foil to vanilla bean and butter. It’s a bold yet expertly restrained wine.