Mail Road 2020 “Mount Carmel Vineyard” Santa Rita Hills 95 Points

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points: “The 2020 Chardonnay Mount Carmel Vineyard has a pure, crystalline vibe in its bright lemon curd and orchard fruit aromatics, and its medium-bodied, with bright, almost racy acidity, some distinct minerality, good mid-palate density, and a great finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for a decade.”

Vinous 95 Points: “The 2020 Chardonnay Mt. Carmel Vineyard is elegant, silky, and nuanced. Orchard fruit, white flowers, and mint are some of the many notes that open first.  This is an unusually refined Chardonnay from Mt. Carmel, where wines tend to be more rugged.  All the elements are so well put together aided by long aging on the lees, which really works well here. White flower, mint, chalk, and bright saline notes linger on the sculpted finish.

Tasting Notes: Delicately lovely aromas of honeysuckle, lemon blossom, crisp apple, and Asian pear invite the nose into this excellent bottling from an iconic vineyard. There’s an extremely chalky grip to the sip and yet generous flavors of coconut and pear. It’s fascinatingly expressive for being so tightly wound.

Also, check out the Mail Road 2019 Mount Carmel Santa Rita Hills 97 Points