Inception, Chardonnay, Santa Barbara 2009

Origin: Santa Barbara County
Grape: Chardonnay
Classification: Santa Barbara
Alcohol: 14.2% v/v
Residual Sugar: 0.01 g/100ml

Review by Ian Blackburn:
This wine benefits from an optimal 2009 vintage in Santa Barbara and time tested winemaking skills of Allen Phillips (formerly of Foley, now with his own firm called Terravant Wine Company – in the 1980’s Allen successfully produces Marilyn Merlot – and the wine was so good – it increased in value – then sold the brand and new ownership went away from quality towards quantity)

This wine really delivers on many levels – balance, profile, quality, and price/value.   I give this 91 points for value, quality, purity, varietal character, Santa Barbara styling and it’s a wine that knows what it is trying to be, does it well, and acts accordingly.  Too many wines in this price point try to be bigger and richer than they should and like someone that has had too much plastic surgery, natural look diminishes and gravities balance becomes an issue.

Awards:  Best of Class, “Judges Recommendation” at San Francisco Wine Competition

Wine notes:
The long warm days and cool nights of Santa Barbara County create the ideal conditions for growing grapes with character and distinction. The cooling maritime influence further adds complexity and balance to the wines. The grapes for this wine were sourced from 3 very special and unique vineyards- Los Alamos, Santa Rita Hills (Huber), and Santa Maria Valley (Bien Nacido Vineyard). Handcrafted using classical Burgundian winemaking techniques our Chardonnay truly exemplifies old world balance and acidity with new world charm.

The nose is an intoxicating mix of tropical and stone fruits with a hint of acacia blossoms. Flavors of Bartlett Pear, Granny Smith apple, white peach, and mandarin blossom envelope your palate. A creamy texture framed by zesty acidity and a minerality of wet stones makes this Chardonnay rich yet delicate.  This is a refreshing medium bodied style of California Chardonnay, which is deep, seamless and classic.

Grapes for this wine were harvested in October of 2009, from Los Alamos, Santa Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley and whole cluster pressed. The juice was transferred to a stainless steel tank for inoculation with Prisse de Mousse yeast then racked to French Oak barrels to complete barrel fermentation.
The wine was then taken partially through malolactic fermentation aged for 8 months in barrel “sure lie” and bottled in July 2010.

My Story:  Inception came to my attention last year when they attended our STARS of Santa Barbara tasting – which was full of fantastic producers – and this new brand Inception… With a strong recommendation to taste the wine and George Pitsironis, a fellow wine professinal involved I had to try these wines. I have strong respect for George, as he was the Sommelier at Spago and a nice congenial professional.

I then learned that Allen Phillips was making the wine – and from that point forward – I was sold.   The wine hits the mark on every level of quality, price, taste, value.  Allen is one of the more comprehensive winemakers in California.  He has worked extensively from Oregon, Napa, and for the past 15 years – in Santa Barbara. 

I trust Allen’s skills and think he really makes pretty wines.  If his wines have a flaw, it might be because he “reigns it in” – and really makes wines pretty and elegant… and doesn’t go too far outside the lines.   But when your working with Santa Barbara Chardonnay that has so much raw material to work with – he comes off as an artist that builds something balanced, stylish and with flawless detail.

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