Lieu Dit 2024 Chenin Blanc Santa Ynez Valley

A pristine and luminous expression of California Chenin Blanc, the 2024 Lieu Dit from Santa Ynez Valley combines bright citrus purity with weightless texture and flinty minerality. Elegant yet vibrant, this wine delivers varietal clarity and regional distinctiveness that set it apart as a thrilling contemporary white.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Produced by Lieu Dit, a winery celebrated for soulful, site-expressive wines, this 2024 Chenin Blanc draws fruit from cool-climate blocks within the Santa Ynez Valley AVA. Soils of sandy loam and limestone contribute both lift and minerality, while the cooling Pacific influence preserves natural acidity and aromatic precision.

Grapes were harvested early in the cool of morning to retain freshness, then whole-cluster pressed and cool-fermented primarily in stainless steel to maintain fruit vibrancy. A portion of the wine underwent fermentation in neutral French oak and concrete eggs, building subtle textural complexity without masking varietal definition. Lees contact and gentle stirring contributed mid-palate breadth and muscularity, resulting in a Chenin Blanc that feels both buoyant and layered.

Critics Reviews
James Suckling awards the 2024 Lieu Dit Chenin Blanc 94 points, noting its “intense lime, white peach, and honeysuckle aromatics” with a palate that is “precise, textured, and utterly refreshing.”
Wine Advocate scores it 93 points, praising its “crisp acidity and flinty mineral core” and highlighting “an impressively focused finish with lingering citrus and saline notes.”
Wine Enthusiast gives the wine 92 points, calling it “a beautifully balanced, food-friendly Chenin Blanc with lively citrus drive and textural nuance.”

Critics consistently emphasize the wine’s energy, precision, and capacity to transcend the typical Chenin Blanc mold in the New World.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Bright and crystalline, with lifted aromas of lime zest, white peach, quince blossom, jasmine, and a hint of crushed stone.

Palate:
Medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, revealing vibrant citrus and orchard fruit framed by chalky minerality and vibrant acidity. Subtle lees texture adds weight without opulence.

Finish:
Clean, persistent, and refreshing, with lingering citrus oil, mineral threads, and a refined saline finish that enhances overall vibrancy.

Quick Overview