Sarah’s Vineyard can be found not in Napa or Sonoma but in Gilroy, where it was one of the first wineries in the county of Santa Clara. The 1982 vintage of this wine was served in the White House. Now we’re trying it at Drinkhacker HQ.

Initially a bit doughy and heavy with nutty almond notes, the wine slowly opens up in glass as it warms to reveal a surprising tropicality, and a bold mineral finish, touched with saline. The finish percolates some coconut notes, and a reprise of almond — without the doughiness on the attack — revealing a surprisingly charming (yet California-classic) chardonnay.

A- / $36 / sarahsvineyard.com

2018 Sarah's Vineyard Estate Chardonnay

$36

9

Rating

9.0/10

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