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2020 The Hilt Radian Vineyard Chardonnay

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

August 31, 2025 - $48

Estimate

RATINGS

98James Suckling

Very precise with sliced pineapple, apples and white wild flowers. Full- to medium-bodied with sliced cooked apple, savory pie crust dough and hints of salted caramel to the fruit at the end. Lots of lemon and lime at the finish.

96Decanter Magazine (points)

...radiates vibrancy and energy. With grapes pelted by Pacific Ocean winds, sharp notes of sea spray lead the palate, followed by lime pith, green apple, and unripe pear. With a racy structure matched by complexity and length, this wine grabs you by your senses and insists on taking you along for a ride.

95Jeb Dunnuck

Salted citrus, crushed lemon, honeyed pear, and chalky minerality all define the aromatics, and it’s medium-bodied on the palate, with a chiseled, focused, racy style...

93Vinous / IWC

...crystalline and remarkably pure. Lemon peel, white flowers, crushed rocks, mint and white pepper abound.

PRODUCER

The Hilt

The Hilt located in the Sta. Rita Hills is part of a small portfolio of boutique wineries owned by E. Stanley Kroenke, an entrepreneur who owns numerous professional sports teams. He also owns Screaming Eagle and Jonata wineries. The Hilt’s debut vintage was 2008 and it makes three styles of wines: The Old Guard, The Vanguard and Estate. Winemaker is Matt Dees, who also makes wine for Jonata. The Old Guard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are “stylistically elegant” and “balanced,” according to the estate. Vanguard wines are “lusher, fleshy, and fruit-driven,” the estate notes. Estate wines are “approachable,” the estate says. The Hilt wines have earned high compliments from reviewers, who typically give the wines ratings in the low to mid-90s.

REGION

United States, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County, Santa Rita Hills

Santa Rita Hills AVA in northern Santa Barbara County was granted appellation status in 2001. Located between the towns of Lompoc and Buellton, it has a total area of 30,720 acres with 2,700 vineyard acres. The area is considered a cool climate for vineyards, so vineyards are most often planted with the cool-weather grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The hills in the western part of this appellation are directly exposed to the Pacific Ocean, meaning that maritime winds and fog make the western edge of the Santa Rita Hills AVA particularly cool. The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard planted in 1971 was the first vineyard in the district and is still considered one of the best.

TYPE

White Wine, Chardonnay

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.

VINTAGE

2020 The Hilt Radian Vineyard Chardonnay