The Hilt Estate Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills, California 2020

Katie here. I have to confess, I do not like summer weather. I do not like the heat. So when it's in the 80s already in the beginning of May, I am not happy about it. But you know what makes me feel better? A cool glass of wine. You can have your beer on a hot day--I want a chilled glass of white wine.

After spending an overnight at a Girl Scout campout with a lot of young girls, sleeping in a creaky bunk bed in a cabin, I was ready the next evening for a quiet glass of wine. I pulled out this beauty:

The Hilt Estate Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills, California 2020

While Chardonnay has not been my traditional go-to wine in the past, I'm really coming to appreciate a good Chardonnay. And this one is delicious! It smells like cream and warm, ripe apples and pears. Think of picking a ripe pear out of an orchard on a warm day... lovely. It also smells like baking spices and warm pastry. There's even hints of orange in there, and maybe orange blossoms. Unlike some California Chardonnay, it doesn't overpower you with oak. It's a real pleasure to drink. Even my husband, who also doesn't typically drink Chardonnay, had a glass and called it a darn good glass of wine.

This wine sells for $50 at Jacob Liquor.