Samuel Louis Smith - Chardonnay les Granitiers Santa Lucia Highlands 2023
Jeb Dunnuck: 96 Points
The 2023 Chardonnay Les Granitiers is grown in granitic soils, as the name suggests, primarily those found in the high-elevation vineyards of Escolle (58%), Coastview (37%), and Pelio (5%), which all ripen at different times. As a result, the juice is fermented separately from each site in stainless steel and later aged in neutral barrels for 9-10 months. Smith picks the grapes relatively lean but not lacking in flavor, producing a wine that’s light on its feet. Green apple, apricot, sea spray, and racy acidity highlight a finessed, elegant framework of beautiful structure, built to age another 8-10 years.<!--more-->Smith spent eight years winemaking at Morgan and has also worked at Margerum in Santa Barbara as well as abroad. He does his own paintings on the label and focuses on organically farmed mountainous terroir, primarily in Santa Cruz, the Santa Lucia Highlands, and other parts of Monterey. - Virginie Boone
Price: $37.99
In Mixed Case: $32.29
Quantity Available: 31
