Vanguard Chardonnay 2015 The Hilt

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (92)

The 2015 Chardonnay Vanguard delivers a wonderfully spicy nose of white pepper, coriander seed, ginger and anise over a core of white peaches and lemon curd. Medium-bodied, with a great intensity of stone fruit and citrus layers, it has a lively acid line and finishes with those spices coming through.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

The 2015 Chardonnay Vanguard comes from slightly younger vines and sees more new oak (although it still seems mostly neutral barrels). This light to medium gold colored Chardonnay offers terrific notes of citrus, under ripe pineapple, salty minerality and white flowers. It's concentrated and textured, yet racy and vibrant, with bright acidity. It really needs 5-6 years of bottle age and is going to have two decades of longevity.

Farmed to “The Hilt,” these killer Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are made by superstar winemaker Matt Dees. All these latest releases are going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age.

BOW (8.50)

Vinous (94)

The 2015 Chardonnay Vanguard is powerful, dense and voluptuous, with all of the raciness of the vintage on full display. Apricot, honey, chamomile, dried flowers, new oak and hint of butter add notable flavor complexity. Viscous and oily on the palate, but in the midweight style that is typical of these wines, the Vanguard is just as impressive from bottle as it was last year from barrel. Fruit sources are Sanford & Benedict, Bentrock, Solomon Hills, Bien Nacido and Radian.

Wine Enthusiast (95)

Very tightly wound on the nose, this impressive bottling by Matt Dees of Jonata fame starts with fresh and seabreeze-like aromas, from lime zest and pink lemonade to wet slate and cool steel. The sip is energetic and racy like a classic Chablis, showing lemon balm, honeysuckle and well integrated oak across a texturally compelling platform.