Mail Road Mt. Carmel Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills, USA 2021

Established in 1989 – on land surrounding a long since abandoned monastery of cloistered, Carmelite nuns – Mt. Carmel straddles the limestone saddle of a highly-exposed, two-tiered mountain immediately north of the Santa Ynez River, at the eastern end of The Sta. Rita Hills. Mt. Carmel consists of six blocks over a total of 22.5 acres, planted to a variety of own-rooted, organically and principally dry-farmed, heritage chardonnay and pinot noir clones. The wines produced by Mt. Carmel fruit are remarkable in their lean toward site specifically and marked by deep concentration, exceptional depth, structural complexity and bracing acidity.

"The 2021 Chardonnay Mt. Carmel Vineyard is fabulous. All of the pedigree of this south-facing site comes through in a rich, layered, beautifully resonant Chardonnay endowed with tremendous distinction. Lemon confit, orchard fruit, mint, spice, graphite and hazelnut all grace this dramatic Chardonnay. Readers will find a Chardonnay of undeniable class, elegance and personality. Stunning." Vinous 96