The Hilt Estate Chardonnay 2021

The Sta. Rita Hills-focused sister brand of Jonata, The Hilt centers around two of the area's most sought-after and renowned sites, Bentrock and Radian. Located in the far southwestern corner of the region, these designates tend to elevate the rosters of any winemaker fortunate enough to secure them and consistently produce intense, structurally searing wines built for the long haul, bottled here as estate wines. Winemaker Matt Dees's approach at The Hilt echoes that of Jonata, maintaining the energy instilled by the sites but rounding it slightly and presenting it with the textural polish that permeates both labels. Chardonnays are pressed gently, spend 12 months in barrel undergoing partial malolactic conversion and typically undergo a single bâtonnage via rolling before finishing with five months of aging in tank. Pinot Noirs contain minimal whole clusters, are concentrated slightly via saignée and aged 12 months in barrels that are typically 10% to 25% new.