{"title":"2023 Trout Gulch Chardonnay","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf the most thought-provoking and evocative wines are often born in marginal climates, it is hard to imagine a vineyard sitting further on the fringe of California’s quality viticulture than Trout Gulch.\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLocated in the southern reaches of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, on the foothills of the ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this remote site remains under the radar of many wine lovers. Yet its \u003cstrong\u003eracy, saline Chardonnays (reminiscent of top Chablis) \u003c\/strong\u003eare attracting a growing following among critics and collectors alike.\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDry-farmed and planted between 1977 and 1980, the 26-hectare vineyard lies a mere 3.5 miles from the coast on a south-facing slope. The terroir here consists of that \u003cstrong\u003erare confluence of proximity to cold ocean water, morning fog, vast redwood forests and free-draining sandy-loam soils. \u003c\/strong\u003eRedwood forests in particular have a key role, acting as a sort of natural sponge that traps moisture and briny sea air before releasing it slowly into the atmosphere. The result is \u003cstrong\u003eone of California’s longest growing seasons\u003c\/strong\u003e, with harvest stretching well into October or even November in cool vintages like 2023.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"arnot-roberts-santa-cruz-mountains-trout-gulch-chardonnay-1","title":"Arnot-Roberts Santa Cruz Mountains Trout Gulch Chardonnay","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay comes from Arnot-Roberts, the pioneering winemaking duo leading the 'New California' movement. High in natural acidity thanks to the cool, coastal climate of Trout Gulch this wine has strong minerality and a noticeable salinity on the palate. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e19\/20\u003c\/strong\u003e - After the 19th-century shoutout from Frona Eunice Wait, I was on the lookout for a Chablis-like Chardonnay from the region. This one’s it. Initial scents of fruit, pineapple and apple are delivered dryly, like a kind of essence without the juice. Initial flavours are supple and lively, with beautiful energy and drive from stirring acidity; for all its initial energy, it has a comfortable middle-palate weight that pauses the trajectory before finishing with energy and lift. - \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePatrick Comiskey, Jancisrobinson.com\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92\/100 \u003c\/strong\u003e- The 2023 Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1979 less than four miles from the Pacific Ocean. Grapes were picked on November 2, and the wine was matured for 10 months in used French oak. It has slowly opening aromas of white orchard fruit, iodine, saline and hazelnuts. The medium-bodied palate is crisp and ethereal with saline-laced flavors. It’s enlivened by bright acidity and has a long, refreshing finish. \u003c\/em\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eErin Brooks, Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arnot-Roberts","offers":[{"title":"DUTY PAID","offer_id":47264613007597,"sku":"13ARTG23|DUTY PAID","price":71.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0663\/5352\/9069\/files\/BC_Upload_518b604e-ce92-41eb-8eeb-59a8f8a3f19e.png?v=1739376943"},{"product_id":"kutch-santa-cruz-mountains-trout-gulch-chardonnay-4","title":"Kutch Santa Cruz Mountains Trout Gulch Chardonnay","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Santa Cruz Mountains AVA has long offered some of California's greatest wines, with its old, gnarled vines predating any plantings in Napa. The vineyard, which winemaker Jamie Kutch has been working with for many years, is situated a mere 3.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. A combination of the sandy loam soils, sunshine, and the cold climate of this site has created a Chardonnay full of cool climate character, yet simultaneously uniquely Californian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95\/100 - \u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2023 Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard is a weightlessly intense and distinctly saline expression of this site, opening with an expressive nose of dried jasmine, sage, white pepper, oyster brine and dried citrus. The palate is sleek, tensile and lined with mouthwatering acidity that energizes and propels the invigorating finish. A leading expression of a modern classic site in Corralitos, this wine should age beautifully over the next decade, if not longer.\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e-\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMatthew Luczy, Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e18\/20\u003c\/strong\u003e - Savoury nose and truly beautiful balance. Just a little hint of 'natural' on the finish but this has real conviction and its own savoury style. Not the merest hint of California popcorn! A dry spine runs through it and really refreshes the palate. Complex but accessible. Lime and line here! \u003c\/em\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003eJancis Robinson MW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kutch","offers":[{"title":"DUTY PAID","offer_id":55442780356987,"sku":"13KTGC23|DUTY PAID","price":61.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0663\/5352\/9069\/files\/BC_Upload_9b4d0178-820c-41c5-a6e9-d3bc697db8d7.png?v=1758036025"}],"url":"https:\/\/robersonwine.com\/collections\/2023-trout-gulch-chardonnay.oembed","provider":"Roberson Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}