One of the premier boutique producers of Chardonnay in Santa Barbara, Liquid Farm has impressed with their old world style of winemaking. The winemaker sought to produce Chardonnay that is terroir and mineral driven from cool climates with little or no new oak intervention. To achieve these qualities the owners were drawn to one of the coolest of all California AVA's, Sta. Rita Hills. These Chardonnays are sourced from some of the region’s most exceptional vineyards such as the Bien Naciedo vineyard and the Clos Pepe vineyard. I recently had the chance to sit down with one of the owners, Jeff Nelson, and he shared their recent successes, starting with 4 barrels of wine in 2009 to their current much larger production. Jeff has been in the wine business for the past 20+ years, working for some of the top Champagne and Burgundy houses and had some incredible stories about the wine business. Liquid Farms wines do not stay on wine lists and shelves very long. They have incredible balance and minerality, as I was very impressed with their fantastic new lineup of wines.. Most of these exceptional Chardonnay releases would seriously pass for something out of Burgundy. Learn more at http://www.liquidfarm.com ‪#‎liquidfarm‬
2014 Liquid Farm Rose- This is made from 95% Mouvedre and 5% Grenache. The wine begins with aromas of smoked meats, mushroom, gala apple and cut grass. This leads to flavors of watermelon, Gravenstein apple, Meyer lemon and orange rind. This is a complex Rose that has a wonderful acid structure. Drink 2015-2020- 91
2014 Liquid Farm ‘White Hill’ Chardonnay- This wine is sourced from 10 vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills and is done in a Chablis style of winemaking. 90% of this was aged one year in neutral oak while 10% was aged in stainless steel prior to bottling. The winemaker is a proponent of blending the vineyards. This has aromas of Meyer lemon, poached pear, in the somewhat subdued nose. There are flavors of pear, golden delicious apple, with a long and lingering finish. This is done in the refreshing style with a nice minerality and saline streak. Drink 2015-2025- 92
2013 Liquid Farm 'Golden Slope' Chardonnay- The owner notes that this wine is made in the Mersault style. It is a blend of six Santa Rita Hills vineyards including Bent rock, Clos Pepe, Rita's Crown, Zotovich, Kessler-Haak and Esperanza. This Chardonnay had 10% new oak with the rest neutral oak. The wine has butter, hazelnut, and golden delicious apple. There are flavors of pineapple, golden delicious apple, and mushroom with a long finish of vanilla cream. This has wonderful texture and depth. Drink 2015-2025- 93
2014 Liquid Farm' La Hermana' Chardonnay- This is a blend of Bien Naciedo and Solomon Hills Chardonnay. This has aromas of lemon meringue, banana and golden delicious apple. There are flavors of red delicious apple, nutmeg with a long finish. There is nice weight and richness to this wine. This is very terroir driven and Burgundian. Drink 2015-2025- 93
2014 Liquid Farm 'Bien Bien' Chardonnay- This is a blend of Bien Naciedo and Solomon Hills Chardonnay. This has aromas of lemon meringue, banana and golden delicious apple. There are flavors of red delicious apple, nutmeg with a long finish. There is nice weight and richness to this wine. This is very terroir driven and Burgundian. Drink 2015-2025- 93