2019 The Hilt Vanguard Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Chardonnay Vanguard is conceived to express the riper side of Chardonnay (in relative terms, of course) but it has been surprisingly taut in two recent tastings. That won't be an issue in time as the wine softens in bottle, but the 2019 is decidedly more austere at this stage than most previous releases. White flowers, mint, white pepper and lemon peel lend notable brightness and tension throughout.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Chardonnay Vanguard sports a pure, clean bouquet of Golden Delicious apple, lemon curd, and toasty oak to go with a medium-bodied, round, forward, charming style that still has vibrant acidity and purity. It’s beautifully done and already drinking brilliantly.
About the producer
The Hilt is the Santa Rita Hills project owned by sports and property mogul billionaire Stan Kroenke, who also owns Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley and the Jonata estate in the California’s Ballard Canyon AVA.