I was able to taste two vintages of this estate's whites, both brilliant. The 2020 White Head Held High, which is still resting in barrel, is a Chardonnay-dominated blend that includes 12% Roussanne and 8% Marsanne. It has a brilliant nose of ripe pineapple, orange blossom, flower oil, and honeysuckle. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, round, mouth-filling, yet still pure and precise white that has a singular character. It's a great wine in the making.

“We love making white wine,” said winemaker/owner Nik Krankl. “There is an abundance of really good Chardonnay. We want to make the best, and this is the best grape for this area. Going forward, this grape will lead the charge.” The sad news is that the section of Bien Nacido Vineyard’s old vine Chardonnay that was used to make this Chardonnay was torn out after this harvest. But, considering Nik’s eye for outstanding Chardonnay, skillful hand with this grape, and visionary blending, I’m not expecting a drop in quality. This 2020 White Wine Head Held High is a blend of 80% Chardonnay, 12% Roussanne, and 8% Marsanne from Bien Nacido and Sanford & Benedict Vineyards. Recently bottled, the wine went through 100% malo-lactic, and it spent 21 months in French oak barrels, 91% new. Powerful scents of apricots, honeyed drizzled pears, toasted almonds, and juicy pineapple gallop out of the glass, leading to hints of fresh ginger and allspice. Full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully spicy, packed with juicy stone fruit and pears flavors, framed by a silken texture and seamless acidity, finishing long and savory. Drop dead delicious. 288 cases were made.