2016 The Hilt The Old Guard Chardonnay, Santa Barbara Bacigalupi Pretty and refreshing

Pretty and refreshing

the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Benchland Select gives up intense cassis

anise and mocha are the first things apparent on the nose followed by cola

Critic tasting note: "The Benegas vineyard in Cruz de Piedra

Sometimes even mentions of mocha to a more discerning taster make themselves known

2016 The Hilt The Old Guard Chardonnay, Santa Barbara Bacigalupi Pretty and refreshingThe 2016 Chardonnay Old Guard comes from the oldest vines of the estate and is brought up all in older oak. It offers an almost Alsatian Riesling like minerality and green citrus streak, with more orchard fruits, white flowers, and classic salinity coming through with time in the glass. It's light to medium bodied, deep, rich, and beautifully textured on the palate, it has vibrant, tangy acidity, plenty of density and mid palate oomph, and a great