2006 CHARDONNAY SOLOMON
HILLS
Santa Maria Valley
Most of the time I just
sit on the mountain here, contemplate my navel, and generally
meditate on the meaning of wine. Lately though, I have been obsessing
about what people think of what we're making. It might seem compromising,
but it can be stimulating to get other people's views.
And so…this fellow I had
never met before came by and tasted through the cellar with me.
At once I realized he had a great palate, and he knew what he
liked. So it vexed me no end when he tasted this wine and thought
it was perfectly fine yet not particularly interesting. Oh well.
I comforted myself with the thought that I presented him with
something so interestingly outside the box that he didn't get
it.
I love the fine fruit
and excellent balance this vineyard gives. Solomon Hills is on
the western edge of the Santa Maria Valley Appellation so it's
climatically very cool. Planted to the Dijon clones of chardonnay,
it has none of the typical California style of tropical fruitiness.
It is all lemon curd, piney and minerally-making it a great match
with seafood.