2021 Sandhi Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay

95 pts
Flinty, kinetic Chardonnay offering superb value from one of California's most iconic vineyards.

Price:
Sale price$110.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship, only 3 units left
Rendering loop-subscriptions

Description

Since 2018, the fruit for Sandhi's Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay have come from some of the best vineyard sites in California, including Domaine de la Cote, the iconic estate also run by the terroir-obsessed winemakers Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman.

There's definitely a great sense of pride in the grapes and a sense of place that comes through here. Fermentation uses indigenous yeast, and there's a much more gentle use of oak than in other, bigger Californian examples—just 20% new, 500-litre barrels.

Exceptional quality and restraint, and a bargain price considering the fame of the vineyard that the grapes are sourced from.

95 points
"Tasted at the beginning of 2023, a reductive quality was still obscuring bright, penetrating green apple and kiwi flavours with a smoky, earthen veil. It's a gorgeously sleek, richly textured wine with a pulsating core of acidity and salty mineral intensity."
- Decanter

95 points - "Tasted at the beginning of 2023, a reductive quality was still obscuring bright, penetrating green apple and kiwi flavours with a smoky, earthen veil. It's a gorgeously sleek, richly textured wine with a pulsating core of acidity and salty mineral intensity." - Decanter

94 points - "Lovely texture and density, showing dried apple, fresh ginger and pastry dough. Layered, with phenolic tension. Drink or hold." - James Suckling

2021 marks the inclusion of higher pedigree Chardonnay than years past, and the bump in quality shows. It is a blend of just two vineyards — largely Domaine de la Côte alongside Hines Family Estate. Dense in fruit and flintiness, candied citrus peel, nectarine, sea salt and a hint of spice make way for briny, blazing acidity. The oak is well-integrated, adding texture to tang.

Vineyard
Domaine de la Côte, Hines Family Estate

Appellation
Sta. Rita Hills

Alcohol
12.8

Varietal
Chardonnay

Aging
8 mos. in 500L puncheon, 6 mos. in stainless steel tank

Price Bracket $101 and Above
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country USA
Region Chardonnay
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Decanter
James Suckling
Critic Score 95
94
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2021
Closure Cork

Others also liked

Recently viewed

Common Questions

Delivery is free on orders of $150 or more.

For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.

We will dispatch your order the same or next business day.

Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.

No sorry we do not have a store front and pickup is not available.

Yes, no problem. When placing your order select ‘Store at Different Drop and Delivery Later’ as your shipping method or reply to the order confirmation email after placing your order with additional instructions.

We stock three different sized gift boxes (single, three bottle and six), all are available for purchase for a flat rate of $8. They look great and make an awesome impression.

To add a gift box to your order, simply add at checkout. The special requests box is your friend, please give us as many details of what you are looking for and we will try our best, or get in contact to discuss it with you. 

If you want to bulk order gifts or if you have any trouble please email hello@differentdrop.com or call and we can try and help.

 

Our warehouse is automated so unless you tell us otherwise, we will ship your order. If you would like us to hold your order please reply to the order confirmation email after placing your order and we are happy to store your order for up to 6 months at no charge. You can review our heat policy here.

Yes, of course. We want Different Drop customers to always be getting the best price. You can see our price match policy here.

No, feel free to mix it up! There is no minimum requirement. You can order wines in any quantity or combination, 1 or 50+ bottles.

No, all prices are set at the full discounted dozen rate already.

If you can't add more wine to your cart it means we are low on stock of that wine. For example, if you are only able to 3 bottles and no more that means we only have 3 bottles left of that wine. If it's a must have, please contact us and we may be able to order more in for you.

Regular Enquiries

Urgent Enquiries

02 8376 8775