Reviews & Ratings

2020 Stars & Dust Chardonnay "Old Vine Hilltop Vineyard"

Winery: Stars & Dust

Vintage: 2020

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Old Vine Hilltop Vineyard"

Wine Category: Chardonnay

Grape blend: 100% Chardonnay

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Santa Rita Hills

State or country: CA

Price: $50

Cases produced: 100

KWG Score: 91.5 (based on 2 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: September 5, 2022

Wine Review: This light gold colored Chardonnay opens with an attractive vanilla, poached Bartlett pear and oak bouquet with a hint of firepit smoke. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with medium acidity. The mouthfeel is round and bright. The flavor profile is similar to the nose. It features baking spices, poached Bartlett pear and toasted oak. I also detected hints of mango, brioche, and lemon zest toward the end. The finish drifts away nicely. I would pair this Chard with New England clam chowder in a bread bowl. Cheers - Ken

Winemaker Notes: Transports you straight to the sea (only several miles away as the crow flies) with a distinct saltiness and salinity that I so love about this AVA. Raw hazelnut and lemon curd abound on the extremely intoxicating and highly expressive nose. On the palate this wine is glossy to start with a gorgeous middle mouthfeel, the salinity persists with a bit more of that lemon curd but lemon rind as well. Crazy long finish. These vines are an incredible 48 years old! Drinking beautifully now but will age like a goddess.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Stars & Dust 2020 Old Vine Chardonnay.