2018 The Hilt Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County

Starting with the appellation 2018 Chardonnay, this wine has a vivid gold hue as well as classy notes of sliced apple, nectarines, and honeyed flowers, with just a hint of salinity and minerality. It's elegant, beautifully balanced, and has a great finish, all while staying in the more vibrant, fresh style of this estate.

94 points Jeb Dunnuck jebdunnuck.com Aug 2020

The 2018 Chardonnay Estate is soft, open-knit and inviting. Light tropical accents add character to the orchard fruit flavors in this attractive, mid-weight offering. The 2018 finishes with superb persistence, impeccable balance and brilliant saline notes that knit all the elements together. This is such a classy, polished wine.

92 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com Jul 2020 Drink 2020-2028

Even with cards held tight, it displays white peach, lemon zest, white flowers and loquats. Hints of white truffle, lavender and fresh herbed chevre. With air, new aromatics: fresh baked croissant, almond flour and kumquat. Pure, compact and driving; tense and full of kinetic energy. Showing the seemingly endless sunlight and perfect growing conditions of 2018. Lifted and framed by classic Hilt sea salt and electricity on the finish along with touch of structure that is reminiscent today of an Asian pear.