“The 2020 Chardonnay has detailed scents of lemon peel, crème fraîche, hazelnuts and white flowers. The palate is dynamic, its satiny texture enlivened by youthfully citrusy flavors and tangy acidity, and it finishes long and energetic.”-94WA, 2022-2032
The Tyler Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is composed of grapes from the Bien Nacido, Dierberg, La Rinconada, and Sanford & Benedict vineyards. The oldest of the vines were planted in the early 70s upon soils which are a combination of loam, sandy loam, clay loam, and shale. After harvest the fruit is whole-cluster-pressed into stainless steel tanks, then transferred to a different tank to ferment. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in oak, of which only 15% is new. The wine is left on its lees for ten months before going back into the tank for additional aging.