Sandhi Arroyo Grande Valley Bien Nacido Chardonnay Magnum 2014

This wine is in magnum format. 

Sandhi rank amongst the most highly regarded and influential wineries in California, founded and run by the pioneering duo of Sashi Moorman and Rajat Parr. Renowned for their work in shaping the 'New Wine' movement in California during the early-mid 2000s, they have achieved widespread acclaim for their work in Santa Barbara's windswept Sta. Rita Hills region. We recently secured a few lines of back vintage stock from them, including this stunning magnum of 2014 Bien Nacido Chardonnay. Produced entirely from the oldest vines in the vineyard's in what's known as 'W Block,' these gnarled old vines produce fruit of unsurpassed quality and finesse. A bit more broad and expansive than a typical Sandhi Chardonnay, this Bien Nacido shows loads of stone fruit character alongside touches of citrus and hints of tertiary development from its decade spent in bottle.

17.5/20 - Just a hint of reductive funk on the nose with citrus blossoms and citrus savoury flavours underneath. Much more mid-range tones on the nose compared with the Sta Rita Hills wines, with notes of stone fruit – a touch of white-peach pit and nectarine skin – with passion fruit and loam on the nose followed by loam, quinine and even a bit of green olive alongside a fresh saline savour on the palate, carrying plenty of fresh acidity throughout. A very different wine than the Sta Rita Hills. While the Sta Rita Hills wines are finessed and energetically wound, the Bien Nacido, in comparison, is savoury and earthy with more breadth across the palate while still made in a restrained style. It is clearly just a different site and soil type. Lots of flavour and power of presence for such a low-alcohol wine. The quinine note nips tight the edges to bring more tension to an otherwise broader palate expression. Lots of length. - Elaine Chukan Brown, JancisRobinson.com