Chenin Blanc 'Santa Ynez Valley'

Score

90

"Oily, viscous and rich, the 2024 Chenin Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley) boasts plenty of waxiness and grip, although it is a touch wanting for acid. Creamy pear, peach, marzipan and sweet spice saturate the palate. The voluptuous finish carries plenty of flavor and texture. A little more freshness would elevate this further."

Score

90

"The 2024 Chenin Blanc presents a beautiful bouquet of green orchard fruits, citrus blossoms and a hint of lees-derived richness. The palate delivers the racy vibrancy that permeates the Lieu Dit lineup, bolstered with an elegantly broad touch as it closes with a focused acidity and talc-like grip."

Score

92

"The 2023 Chenin Blanc has such clear, precise varietal character. Leesy and creamy, it impresses with its depth of texture and green-apple flavor intensity. Minty lift echoes on the finish, refreshing the palate for another sip. This is archetypal Chenin through a California lens."

Score

91

"The 2023 Chenin Blanc clearly displays the radiant, focused nature of the vintage, leading with an incisive nose of lemon curd and crushed stones bolstered by exotic, waxy and floral accents. The palate is similarly spry and tensile yet displays a lovely creamy breadth that supports the bright, airy finish."

Score

92

"The 2022 Chenin Blanc is deep and textured. Pear, chamomile, dried herbs, menthol, sage and earthy notes all grace this super-expressive, immensely satisfying Chenin. All the elements are very nicely balanced."

Score

91

"Sourced from Happy Canyon Vineyard and aged in barrique with complete malolactic fermentation, the 2022 Chenin Blanc is a flashy, orchard-fruited and slightly tropical expression of Chenin Blanc. The texture splits the difference between oily power and spry energy, finishing on a crisp, pretty note."