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2018 Tolosa Winery Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

July 14, 2024 - $36

Estimate

RATINGS

94Wine Enthusiast

Clean lines of Asian pear flesh, white peach, poached apple and a bit of chalk show on the nose of this bottling. There's a kiss of oak on the palate as well as bright acidity, delivering intriguing flavors of walnut and apple.

93Jeb Dunnuck

...salty, marine-influenced, medium-bodied beauty...lots of caramelized apple and orange blossom nuances, terrific balance, and a big finish.

92The Wine Advocate

...nose of crushed stone, hazelnut, red apple skin, white peaches and beeswax with floral undertones... Medium-bodied and rounded, with a great interplay of savory and bright mineral character, it has great freshness to carry the long, lightly honeyed finish.

92Wine Spectator

A crunchy and zesty version, with a vein of rich minerality to the apple and lemon curd flavors, supported by fresh acidity. The finish is sleek and focused.

92James Suckling

Peach and cream aromas here, with some hazelnut and apricot stone. It’s full-bodied and creamy with crisp acidity. Energetic layers of ripe stone fruit lead to tangy lemon curd on the finish.

PRODUCER

Tolosa Winery

Tolosa was founded in 1998 by Robin Baggett, Bob Schiebelhut and Jim Efird. The business partners began buying Edna Valley ranches and planting them with vineyards. Baggett was a native of the area who dreamed of running a cattle ranch as his grandfather had done, but by the late 1980s viticulture interested him more. Baggett in 2006 started the Alpha Omega wine venture in Napa Valley with the idea of making world class Bordeaux style wines. The success of Alpha Omega prompted him to focus on French style wines in Tolosa too, and in 2015 Baggett hired French native Frederic Elivert to craft Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on Tolosa’s Edna Valley estate. Consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger. Under its 1772 Series label Tolosa also produces small amounts of Rhone blends, Grenache and Sauvignon Blanc.

REGION

United States, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley

Santa Barbara County is not an AVA, but a region just south of San Luis Obispo that includes the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Wine has been produced in the area since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted vineyards. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that producers focused on growing premier grapes for fine wines. During the 1990s more than 10,000 acres of vineyards were planted, and today there are nearly 20,000 acres of vineyards. The region received a big bump in recognition and prestige when the popular film “Sideways” was shot there in 2004. Because the region is affected by maritime weather, it is relatively cool climate makes it ideal for Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and an increasingly adventuresome number of varietals are also grown successfully in Santa Barbara County.

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.