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. -- Antonio Galloni

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 that will keep for 5-7 years.

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. 800 cases were produced.- WK