Yellow delicious apple, fragrant honeysuckle, ripe mango. Fresh tangerine, ocean air, succulent Anjou pear. Bright and juicy bursts of sweet pineapple, plantain, and lemon curd highlight a substantially ripe yet tart and energetic fruit core decadently enhanced by gardenias, clove, and banana leaf. Bold tropical aromatics continue unabated as plumeria and sweet floral tones provide a dousing of surprising perfume that dances in sync with fragrances of vanilla and delicate baking spice. Hints of seaweed and thyme emerge to reveal undercurrents of light herbal and natural complexity while impressions of frothy salt water, beach sand, and stony minerals expose a distinct thread of coastal terroir. Plump and pure-fruited on the palate while remaining exceptionally crisp, nervy, and nimble; exhibiting wonderful vibrancy and youthful refreshment despite considerable weight and concentration. Medium plus in body yet remarkably fresh thanks to a backbone of brilliant acidity. This 2016 Estate Chardonnay by Brick Barn Wine Estate is a terrifically lively, unique, and delicious white from Santa Barbara's Santa Ynez Valley. 

Located directly north of the bohemian beach city of Santa Barbara just over the Santa Ynez Mountains, the Santa Ynez Valley is a bucolic and picturesque winegrowing zone home to some of the most exciting and dynamic vineyards in all of California's Central Coast. This bottling, crafted by Brick Barn Wine Estate using Chardonnay sourced from their estate just east of the Santa Rita Hills, showcases the combination of sunshine and marine influence that makes the Santa Ynez Valley's terroir so special. While generous and ripe with plenty of tropical fruit and floral notes this wine retains the outstanding crispness, tension, and acidity that is so characteristic of the region. It is still unexpectedly youthful at 4 years of age and should continue to develop in bottle for at least another half decade or more. Excellent.