2017 Samuel Louis Smith Chardonnay, Spear Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County   

The 2017 vintage commenced with a refreshingly wet winter with rainfall totals about 40% above average, flushing vineyard soils of built up salts, and promoting healthy root and cover crop growth in the early season. Bud break occurred in mid-March and fruit set in mid-May. The winter’s rains acted as a double-edged sword, deferring the need to irrigate until June in many areas, but also requiring heavy shoot thinning, leafing, and hedging, as vine canopies were quite vigorous. Temperatures were average through August, though September saw three heat waves, making picking decisions challenging and fruit sorting imperative. The hard work resulted in wines with a rich fruit core, underlaid by an elegance from the early- and mid-season cool temperatures.