2017 The Hilt Chardonnay Vanguard
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Tasting notes
More backward and tight, the light gold-colored 2017 Chardonnay Vanguard offers a vibrant, crisp bouquet of sliced green apple, salty minerality, citrus, and hints of flowers. With bright acidity, a layered texture, and flawless balance, it's a beautiful effort that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for a decade or more. The big news with these The Hilt releases is the addition of two new single vineyard Pinot Noirs, Radian and Bentrock. As usual, winemaker Matt Dees has turned out a brilliant lineup of wines in both 2017 and 2018.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The Hilt's 2017 Chardonnay Vanguard shows the soft contours and creamy personality that are such signatures of this bottling. Orange peel, apricot, chamomile and light tropical overtones all meld together in the glass. In 2017, the Vanguard is decidedly soft-spoken and a bit compact, but undeniably pleasing. Vanguard is a blend of 44% Solomon Hills, 22% Bentrock, 16% Sanford & Benedict, 12% Bien Nacido and 6% Radian.
The 2017 Chardonnay Vanguard, aged 11 months in 90% new French oak, opens with crushed shell and saline plus gunflint, toast, faint white blossom, peach and quince peel aromas. It's mineral-driven with light to medium weight, lively acidity and a touch of texture, finishing long and minerally. 338 cases produced.
The 2017 Chardonnay Vanguard is soft, open-knit and easygoing. A hint of French oak adds accents to the yellow orchard fruit and tropical flavors. Medium in body and gracious, the 2017 is quite expressive in the early going.
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.