2024 Hartford Court Jurassic Vineyard Chenin Blanc Santa Barbara County 6pk 6x750ml

Santa Ynez Valley sits a thousand feet up, where fossil-rich limestone soils and cool coastal influence give Chenin Blanc the structure California whites usually lack. Hartford Court's Jurassic Vineyard was planted in 1982 on those well-drained sandy and limestone-laden soils — the kind of old-vine, minerally site that makes Chenin sing.

Only 140 cases of this cuvee exist. The fruit is settled overnight, racked to neutral French oak, and fermented spontaneously over three to four weeks. Full malolactic, regular lees stirring, a year in barrel, then bottled without filtration. The winemaking is classical Loire in approach — minimal intervention, maximum expression of place.

The palate is compact and full-bodied but not creamy — more stony and mineral in texture, with waves of refreshing citrus throughout the long finish. It's the kind of white that drinks like it costs twice what you paid.