Tasting notes
Sterling Vineyards Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay shines with a pale-yellow glow and greets you with enticing patisserie scents of bright Meyer lemon, crisp yellow apple, caramel, and warm croissants. Its palate highlights vibrant tropical flavors of pineapple and fresh mango, round cantaloupe melon notes, and the lemon curd tang of Star Ranch fruit. Superbly structured, this wine’s refreshing acidity lifts and upholds a sweet, delicate creaminess through a delicious finish. Enjoy this gem paired with grilled sole or swordfish with pineapple salsa, or huli huli barbecued chicken with macaroni salad.
Technical information
Vintage
2023
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Napa Valley
Alcohol
14.5%
Volume
750 mL
Winemaking
Our Chardonnay was harvested in the cool morning hours and sent directly to press at the winery. We fermented the juice from these grapes as individual lots in French and American oak to impart rich texture and added spice notes. 100% of the wine was allowed to complete malolactic fermentation and aged in barrel for 16 months with periodic hand stirring. The final wine is elegant and shows a core of beautiful fruit character with balanced, bright acidity.
Vintage
One of the longest growing seasons in over a decade, 2023 offered consistent and mild weather throughout, presenting above-average crop yields and extended hang-time. Ample winter and spring rains set the stage for a reinvigorated vineyard, granting us healthy, saturated soils and full reservoirs. Bud break arrived nearly a month after what is typically expected, which led to a delayed set and protracted flowering, all of which, ultimately, contributed to a delayed harvest. A mild summer allowed the grapes to mature slowly and evenly, retain their natural acidity and deliver truly balanced wines.
Vineyard
Fruit was sourced from Star Vineyard in Rutherford and Gamble Ranch in Oakville. Star Vineyard’s deep alluvial soils and consistently moderate, warm daytime temperatures allow for the development of complex layers of concentrated flavors, led by a lemon balm note. Gamble Ranch fruit provides a solid acid backbone and striking varietal tones.