Liquid Farm, Four Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills

“Four” is a single-vintage blend of the most exciting barrels of Chardonnay from Liquid Farm’s vineyards. Popped and poured; enjoyed with friends over the course of an hour or so. The 2017 pours a striking, intensely bright golden color. I’m not sure I have seen anything quite like it before. It’s nearly neon. On the nose, the wine is redolent ripe and tart tropical fruits: starfruit and pineapple along with lemons, green apple, butter, gentle baking spices (this does see …

this bottle felt a touch heavy, like the aging had accelerated and some of the nuances were lost

Bold chard. As it opens more baking spice and Green Apple. Elegant Good acid/oak balance.

Intense pear, apple and lemon with tropical finish and great balance

This found another gear in the 10 months since I last tried it. The oak has intrgrated and the fruit and acidity that were already there have even more life. Beautiful bottle.

Bigger mouthfeel with pear, lemon, lime and quince and a long rich finish

Another lovely LF chard. Mostly lemon-lime on the nose, with lanolin and minerals added in. Shines with a long, mouth-watering finish.

This really struck me as measurably better than the previous bottle I enjoyed. Still deep, deep golden in color with outstanding weight and texture. Spiced golden apples, oak notes and palate-coating. Finish seemed to last and last. One of the best bottles of Four I have enjoyed. Truly elegant and sophisticated. Great flavor profile.

Golden in color. Some apparent French oak on the nose, but nothing like butter. Copious fruit and ample acidity to keep it spry. Really nice.

Dark golden in color and a bit heavy in oak flavor. Fruit was muted and it felt less lively and fresh than hoped. It followed one of my best Chardonnays and was not quite up to comparison. It seemed a bit more deeply colored and extracted. Some dried fruit notes as well. Not bad, but not what I was anticipating. I probably should have held on this, but not sure where it would develop in the future.