The Trout Gulch Vineyard is found in a forested coastal canyon about 4 miles from the ocean in Santa Cruz County. This beautiful and pioneering site was planted by Bernard Turgeon in 1980 to the old Wente clone of Chardonnay, which is considered by many to be the heritage selection of Chardonnay in California. The soils in this cool site are fine sandy loam and the vines are carefully tended by Richard Alfaro. Harvest at Trout Gulch often has a slow-growing season resulting in wines that are high in natural acidity, strong minerality, and have notable salinity on the palate.
The 2020 Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard is laser focused and vibrant, as it is in its best years. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper, lemon peel and white flowers all race out of the glass. Bright saline notes extend the finish effortlessly. The 2020 is very nicely done, and also a great example of this Santa Cruz Mountains site.
94 points, Vinous (January 2022)
