The Santa Lucia Highlands 2011s: Chardonnay Reigns Supreme

Chardonnay reigns supreme among new releases from the Santa Lucia Highlands. The 2011 vintage brought with it pretty much the same challenges faced by growers across California; namely poor flowering and a long, cool, growing season with no heat spikes at all. Overall, Chardonnay is the most consistent variety, while Pinot and Syrah are much more uneven.

Although the Santa Lucia Highlands is generally regarded as one region, in reality there can be significant differences between the southern and northern ends of this strip of vineyards. In 2011, growers reported cooler and wetter conditions in the north, but slightly more favorable weather in the south. One of the best performing sites was Gary Franscioni’s Sierra Mar (pictured on the cover), which benefitted from higher altitude plots where the greater exposure to the sun was a help in drying out the rain. 

The 2011 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnays are beautiful wines that will drink well right out of the gate. Like most 2011 California Chardonnays, the wines have substantial energy and focus, but in the Santa Lucia Highlands the Chardonnays also show the distinct floral and lightly tropical-infused notes that are one of the signatures of the appellation.