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

“The 2015 Chardonnay Golden Slope captures an attractive stylistic middle ground that expresses notable textural richness and creaminess while retaining a good bit of aromatic nuance. Orchard fruit, wild flowers and a touch of reduction add complexity. (AG)” (09/2017)

“The 2015 Chardonnay Golden Slope is much more classic Chardonnay in style, with textbook stone fruits, brioche, toasted bread and white flower aromatics. Rich, medium-bodied, nicely textured and concentrated and balanced, drink it anytime over the coming decade or more.” (08/2017)

“The 2015 Chardonnay Golden Slope offers slightly subdued notes of Golden Delicious apples, fresh pears and melons with wafts of baking bread, shaved almonds and crushed stones. Medium-bodied, with understated apple and spice flavors and well-integrated freshness, it finishes softly spoken and savory. (LPB) 90+” (09/2017)

“The focused flavors of Fuji apple, nectarine and pear tart are very plush. Engaging red fruit accents show on the pure-tasting finish. Drink now through 2022. (KM)” (09/2018)

“The 2016 Chardonnay Golden Slope shows the more potent, rich side of the Sta. Rita Hills. Candied orange peel, mint, hazelnut, vanilla and tropical overtones give the wine breadth. The Golden Slope is the most overt and voluptuous of the Liquid Farm Chardonnays. (AG)” (09/2018)

“The 2016 Chardonnay Golden Slope saw 15% new French oak, the balance was in neutral oak. Honeyed apples, melon, and ample mineral notes all flow to a rich, medium to full-bodied, mouthfilling effort that has nicely integrated acidity, solid mid-palate depth, and a big finish. It’s another outstanding wine from winemaker James Sparks...” (10/2018)

“The 2016 Chardonnay Golden Slope wafts from the glass with an expressive bouquet of buttered apples, smoke, toasted nuts, brioche and honeycomb. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, glossy and ripe, but remains fresh and succulent, finishing with good length and back-end grip. While it's one of the more open-knit, pleasure-bent of these Liquid Farm Chardonnays, it finds an appealing natural balance that also made it one of my favorites. (WK)” (04/2018)

“As golden as a California sunset, this has a nutty lees aroma that opens into a caramel-and-yellow-apple richness. It’s focused and intense, with fresh, assertive acidity offsetting the density.” (10/2019)

“The 2020 Chardonnay Golden Slope opens with pleasing reductive tones of graphite and roasted almonds, taking some time to reveal youthful tones of crème fraîche, crème brûlée and green herbs. The palate is creamy yet tangy, with a touch of texture that carries the long finish. It will benefit from another year or two in bottle to unwind.” (12/2022)

“Quite a few shades rounder and richer than Liquid Farm's White Hill bottling, this homage to the Côte-d'Or showcases concentrated flavours of yellow peach and papaya against a supple, lactic backdrop of sweet cream and caramel. While voluminous and muscular, it's anchored firmly with tangs of lemony acidity and a subtle, saline finish. Hedonistic yet solidly balanced. (AI)” (02/2023)

“Even better, the 2020 Chardonnay Golden Slope offers utterly classic Chardonnay notes of ripe orchard fruits, classy wood, brioche, and honeysuckle. The balance is spot on, it's medium-bodied, has integrated acidity, and a great finish. It brings a touch more mid-palate depth and richness compared to the White Hill release and should keep for a decade, although there's no need to delay gratification. This was brought up in mostly neutral French oak, with just 10% in new barrels.” (08/2022)

“The 2020 Chardonnay Golden Slope is super appealing. Orchard fruit, tangerine oil, mint and spice abound. The flavor profile leans into the extroverted side of the spectrum, but, texturally, the wine feels a bit restrained. It's an interesting duality that, while unusual, works well here. (AG)” (08/2022)