
Jackson Estate Seco Highlands Chardonnay 2020
A rich, lively wine offering floral notes and balanced oak. The Rued clone imparts a Muscat/Gewürztraminer nose that makes the Seco Highlands Chardonnay a very inviting and surprising wine. The Arroyo Seco (Spanish for Dry Creek) appellation of Monterey County is in the center of the chilled Salinas Valley. Just the right distance from the Pacific Ocean to balance warm, sun-drenched days for ripeness, with the cooling effect of a marine layer (fog) and cold nights for bright, fresh acidity. Complex regions create the most interesting wines.
Acclaim
2019 Vintage
92 points, Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, July 2021
Fine-textured, with good lift to the luscious pear tart and apple pastry flavors. Plenty of toast notes midpalate lead to a long, spicy finish, with tropical fruit and buttery nuances. Drink now through 2025.
91 points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, July 2021
Winemaking
Aged 9 months in 100% French oak barrels, 59% new, with a medium toast.
Vineyards
Elevation: 250 - 350 feet above sea level
Soil: Western slope of Arroyo Seco region that is an alluvial bench of sandy loam and gravel soils.
Climate: Quite windy, yet nestled against the Santa Lucia mountains which reduces the wind factor. Fog is usually thick in the evenings coming in daily from the Monterey Bay.