Devil's Advocate

2020 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay

The Devil's Advocate 2020 Chardonnay from Arroyo Seco, California, showcases a delicate body with a moderate level of acidity and subtle fruit intensity. Crafted from the renowned Chardonnay varietal, this white wine reflects the unique terroir of the Arroyo Seco region. The dryness of this vintage enhances its refreshing and crisp profile, making it a versatile choice for various occasions.

Tasting notes:

Enticing notes of butterscotch and subtle citrus contribute to our Chardonnay's creamy aromatic introduction. The light-bodied palate balances smooth, oaky characteristics with refreshing acidity and vivid apricot flavors.

Oak

Apricot

Butter

Flavor profile:

BodyMedium

Very LightFull

AcidityMedium

LowPronounced

SweetnessDry

Bone DrySweet

Fruit IntensityMedium

LowPronounced

Region:

Arroyo Seco

Lying in the middle of the Salinas Valley, the under-appreciated Arroyo Seco AVA is a beacon of cool-climate winemaking in Monterey County. Its vineyards—especially those to the east—are buffeted for much of the day by cold Pacific winds and shrouded by fog. This combines to give Arroyo Seco an extremely long growing season. Soils throughout the AVA are stony, and these stones absorb sunlight to provide additional heat to the vines. While winemakers face a challenging growing environment, the effort is worth it, as the area produces superbly balanced Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling; intriguing Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon perform well in the western part of the AVA.

Awards:

Best of Class, 2019 New World International Wine Competition
California Red Wine Blend of the Year, 2019 New York International Wine Competition
96 Points, 2020 International Women's Wine Competition
96 Points, 2019 New York International Wine Competition
95 Points, 2019 New World International Wine Competition
94 Points, 2019 New York International Wine Competition
94 Points, 2019 New World International Wine Competition
93 Points, 2019 New York International Wine Competition
91 Points, 2019 Monterey International Wine Competition
91 Points, 2019 Sunset International Wine Competition
91 Points, 2017 Winemaker Challenge
90 Points, 2021 West Coast Wine Competition
90 Points, 2019 San Diego International Wine And Spirits Challenge
90 Points, 2018 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
90 Points, 2017 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition
Double Gold Medal, 2020 International Women's Wine Competition
Double Gold Medal, 2019 New York International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2021 West Coast Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2019 New Orleans International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2019 New York International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2019 Monterey International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2019 New World International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2019 San Diego International Wine And Spirits Challenge
Gold Medal, 2019 Sunset International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2018 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2017 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2017 Winemaker Challenge
Silver Medal, 2021 Winemaker Challenge
Silver Medal, 2021 West Coast Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2020 USA Wine Ratings
Silver Medal, 2020 Harvest Challenge
Silver Medal, 2020 Sommelier Challenge
Silver Medal, 2020 Sommelier Choice Awards
Silver Medal, 2020 Denver International Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2020 Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2020 International Women's Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2020 Winemaker Challenge
Silver Medal, 2019 Harvest Challenge
Silver Medal, 2019 New Orleans International Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2019 New York International Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2019 International Women's Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2019 Monterey International Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2019 Sunset International Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2018 International Women's Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2018 Monterey International Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2018 New World International Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2017 West Coast Wine Competition
Bronze Medal, 2020 Dan Berger's International Wine & Cider Competition
Bronze Medal, 2020 International Women's Wine Competition
Bronze Medal, 2019 New Orleans International Wine Competition
Bronze Medal, 2019 New World International Wine Competition
Bronze Medal, 2019 Sunset International Wine Competition
87 Points, 2021 Wine Enthusiast
83 Points, 2021 Wine Enthusiast
86 Points, 2019 New World International Wine Competition
86 Points, 2019 Wine Enthusiast
86 Points, 2017 Wine Enthusiast
85 Points, 2019 Wine Enthusiast
84 Points, 2019 Wine Enthusiast

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