Made by Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman out of the Domaine de la Cote winery in the Sta. Rita Hills. The Sandhi label allows an exploration of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines throughout the Santa Barbara County terroirs. The Sta. Rita Hills wines benefit from fruit that doesn’t make the cut at Domaine de la Cote, while the single vineyard offerings highlight the uniqueness of a handful of other sites in the appellation. Generally, the Sandhi wines are made to be pretty approachable upon release. Among other considerations, the Pinots in this range are mostly done with destemmed fruit.
A stunningly beautiful and exciting wine, the 2020 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay is bright and sculpted, brimming with citrus, green pear, chalk, and white pepper overtones. The mid-palate is incredibly rich and focused and the finish is marked by minerality and mouthwatering acidity.
The 2020 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills is Chablisienne in style, opening with matchstick and roasted almond that give way to pure scents of lemon peel and chalk. The light-bodied palate is juicy and bright with transparent citrus flavors and a touch of texture to anchor the long, softly leesy finish.