Cambria 2017 Chardonnay, Katherine's Vyd., Santa Maria Valley

#61 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2019

For 30 years, the Jackson family has sustainably farmed and passionately tended this remarkable Santa Maria estate. Proprietor Barbara Banke acquired a large portion of the original Tepusquet Vineyard (planted between 1970 and 1971) in 1986 to serve as the site for Cambria winery. Over the last two decades the vineyard has been expanded, replanted and updated with new clones and rootstocks to take advantage of the unique climatic and geological conditions of the Santa Maria Bench. Katherine Jackson’s namesake vineyard is planted in shallow sand and granite, draining away moisture and restricting vine vigor, forcing the vines to draw nourishment to the fruit, creating full ripeness and balanced acidity.

This wine is 100% Chardonnay from 80% old vine Clone 4 (46 years old). The wine was 60% barrel fermented in French oak 15% new and 40% stainless steel fermented. The aged for 6 months on the lees, stirred every 3 weeks.

Wine Spectator selected this as a Top 100 wine for 2019. They scored it 91 points saying "Well-structured, with a smoky richness to the mineral-infused apple and pear tart flavors. The fresh, spicy finish lingers with a creamy texture. Drink now through 2022."

Jeb Dunnuck scored it 90 points saying "The 2017 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard has a flinty, Burgundian minerality as well as notes of ripe orchard and lemon fruits, spice, and white flowers. Bright, juicy, and elegant on the palate, it's a beautiful Chardonnay that represents a smoking value. You'll be hard-pressed to beat this as a house white."