2015, 2016, 2020 Liquid Farm "Four" Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

“Easily my favorite of the lineup, the 2015 Chardonnay FOUR spent 18 months in 20% new French oak. It offers notes of lemon rind, toasted bread, honeysuckle and buttered citrus, medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity and a clean, lengthy finish. It's a straight up class act and will keep for 10-15 years or more. Based out of Santa Ynez, Liquid Farm Winery is a collaboration between Jeff Nelson, Nikki Pallesen and James Sparks. They make a bevy of classically styled, age-worthy Chardonnays, a Bandol-styled rosé, and two Pinot Noirs.” (08/2017)

“James Sparks makes only four barrels of wine (hence the name) from this cool-climate site in Santa Barbara. Intensely concentrated palate with pineapple fruit, white floral and lemongrass notes, tense acidity, a touch of wood smoke and a long finish. This wine will keep for a long time. (RS)” (07/2018)

“The 2015 Chardonnay Four leaps from the glass with vibrant grapefruit and green mango notes plus wafts of honeysuckle, lightly browned toast and marzipan. The medium-bodied palate displays a lovely, satiny texture with great energy and plenty of citrus fruit vivacity, finishing on a mineral note. (LPB)” (09/2017)

“The 2015 Chardonnay Four is the richest and lushest of this lineup of three Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnays. Viscous and creamy, with tons of aromatic and flavor intensity, the 2015 has a lot to recommend it. The broad, ample style will appeal most to readers who enjoy bigger Chardonnays. (AG)” (09/2017)

“The flagship white from the estate, the 2016 Chardonnay FOUR was brought up in 20% new French oak. It's similar in color to the other releases and has a touch of toasty, smoky oak as well as ample orchard fruits, white peach, white flowers, and salty minerality. Beautifully layered, textured, medium-bodied, and elegant on the palate, it's shows the charming, rounded style of the vintage nicely yet still has vibrant acidity.” (10/2018)

“The 2016 Chardonnay Four is a selection of the best barrels in the cellar. Stylistically, it is closest to the Golden Slope, with which it shares an approach built on texture and breath. Although a pretty wine, the Four is not as detailed as the best Chardonnays in this range, nor it is meaningfully different from the Golden Slope. (AG)” (09/2018)

“Lastly, the 2020 Chardonnay Four is a smaller production release that was aged in 15% new French barrels and the rest in neutral barrels. It has terrific golden fruits, toasted bread, and floral notes, medium-bodied richness, a supple, elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish. As with all these wines from Liquid Farm, it shines for its purity and elegance while bringing notable richness and depth.” (08/2022)

“The 2020 Chardonnay Four is a gorgeous wine that captures the essence of the Liquid Farm house style. Apricot, orange peel, spice and a kiss of new French oak all come together. The Four is blended from a collection of later picks at Bentrock and Rita's Crown, hence its greater textural richness and body vis-a-vis the other Chardonnays in the range.” (08/2022)