2022 Model Farm Chardonnay P-M Staiger Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Wine Review
I had heard a lot about these wines so I was interested in trying one. It is a solid Chardonnay but it is more for those who like an austere style of wine. It is clearly Californian but seemingly made in an attempt to override terroir in favor of a less is more style. The things is I love Santa Cruz Chardonnay. Producers such as Kutch, Ceritas or Rhys manage to make wines that show the Santa cruz terroir without being overblown. But, that is the great thing about wine. So many style and no wrong answers as to what is "best". Light golden in color, clear and bright.
2022 Kutch Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

2021 Ceritas Chardonnay Peter Martin Ray, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review
Santa Cruz is perhaps my favorite area for Chardonnay anywhere. It has sunshine but the wines remain crisp and not blowsy and have depth. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has lemons, slight vanilla, and great minerality. Full bodied. Light tannins. Great energy and balance. On the palate, lemons, lemon curd, minerals and char. Crisp acidity. Long finish. This is delicious on its own but will work for many foods. A nice choice with Tuna Steaks off the grill. Drink over the next ten to twelve years.
2008 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review
Once again proving that these Chardonnay's age very nicely. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has lemon creme, vanilla, and spice. Full bodied. Crisp acidity. Great balance. On the palate, this is deep and complex and delicious. Flavors of lemon creme, vanilla and minerality. Long finish. Delicious on its own and worked well with vegetarian Mideastern food. This may be at peak but if so, just, as there wasn't any old age showing. Still at age 16, its good to check in on it.
2008 Rhys Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review
More known for the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Rhys does a nice job with its Syrah's as well. More cooler climate in style, this still has plenty of oomph. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, char, roasted meats and spice. Medium to full bodied. Light tannins at this point. On the palate, this has a nice texture. Some depth and complexity. Flavors of boysenberries, spice and slight roasted meats. Long finish. This is great on its own and would work very well with a smoke brisket. drink over the next five to seven years.
Rhys 2021 Pinot Noir, Mt. Pajaro Vineyard
For nearly 25 years, Rhys has been quietly making wine out of the underappreciated Santa Cruz Mountains. There is a delightful, earthy quality to this Pinot suggesting subdued fruit, green and black tealeaf and pomegranate. The acidity is spot on supporting the fruit along with the mild use of oak and the wines’ inherent tannic structure. However, this deviates from a lot of traditional bright-fruit-dominate California Pinot Noir because the Santa Cruz Mountains brings forth a brambly, earth equality that most other regions cannot attain. Their Mt.
2014 Kutch Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Wine Review
It has been difficult but I finally managed to keep my hands off a bottle to let it get ten years of age. The result? It was fantastic but not necessarily better than it was at age 5, just different. Golden in color, a bit deeper, clear and bright. The nose is big and fresh with lemon curd, vanilla, minerality and spice. Full bodied. Great balance. Light tannins. On the palate, this is deep and complex. Flavors of vanilla lemon cream with some spice and minerals. Delicious. Contemplative. What a great Chardonnay. Great on its own but probably better with food. This would be e
Rhys 2021 Pinot Noir, Alpine Vineyard
As the name suggests, this Pinot grows at an average elevation of 1,300 feet, a scant 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. There’s a wonderful rustic quality to this, given that the Santa Cruz Mountain are comprised of ancient soils. The fruit is restrained, more earthy and mineral driven, just the sort of style that works well with a variety of different foods. Yes, there is black cherry, pomegranate, huckleberry, but also a light dried raisin note. There as also great acidity, a whisper of candied almond, sandalwood, resin and boysenberry.
2021 Ceritas Chardonnay Trout Gulch, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review
The Santa Cruz Mountains are the home to many of my favorite Chardonnays and this is definitely one of them. Light gold in color with some hay yellow swirls, clear and bright. The nose is big but lovely with lemon peel, slight lime, slight apples, vanilla, spice and char. Full bodied. Creamy texture countered with crisp acidity. On the palate, this is crisp, satisfying and delicious. Deep and complex, it unwinds with a bit of air in the glass. Flavors of lemon peel, slight vanilla, spice and char. Long finish. This is great on its own but better with food. This would work so well