Country :
Verify you are of legal drinking age.
Shipping Included on 12+ Bottles | SHOP NOW

2017 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay

2017 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay

2017 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay

Tasting Notes

Tasting Note

Fragrant aromas of crisp apple, citrus led by lemon zest and lime, lemon crème and toasted hazelnut lead to a richly textured wine with layers of similar flavors, enhanced with a honey almond and stone fruit character. A luminous, pale gold color hints at the nicely balanced and elegant entry with bright acidity and creamy roundness. The finish is persistent and memorable.

Technical Information

Varietal Chardonnay
Vintage 2017
Appellation Napa Valley
Blend 100% Chardonnay
Oak Treatment Barrel fermented in French (65%) and American (35%)
Alcohol % 14.5%
Enclosure Type Cork
pH 3.48

Scores & Accolades

  • 92

    JamesSuckling.com

    “A pretty, creamy white with cooked-apple and lemon-meringue character. Lovely texture. Just a hint of yogurt. Flavorful finish. Drink now.” - James Suckling, February 2020

Winemaking

Winemaking

The Chardonnay fruit was harvested in the cool morning hours and sent directly to press at the winery. The majority of the fruit was barrel fermented in French (65%) and American (35%) oak to impart rich texture and added spice notes. In the 2017 vintage only a small portion of the blend (10%) was fermented in stainless-steel tanks to capture bright fruit character and retain fresh acidity. Some 90% of the wine was allowed to complete malolactic fermentation. The final wine is elegant and shows a core of beautiful fruit character with balanced, bright acidity.

Harry Hansen - Winemaker

Director of Winemaking Harry Hansen was raised in nearby Sonoma County. “One of my earliest memories of wine was the gallon jug of red wine that we always had at home. I would go with my father to a local winery, maybe in Kenwood or Healdsburg, to refill that jug and chit-chat with the winery proprietors. The aromas of those wines were always something attractive, somehow mysterious, but always memorable.”
Harry joined Sterling Vineyards and relocated to Napa Valley just before the 2011 Harvest. “The opportunity to join such a respected Napa Valley winery is exciting and a fantastic next step in my winemaking career. Sterling Vineyards is making some wonderful wines, and I look forward to taking that next step up in quality and reputation.”

Vintage

Vintage

Early season rains brought yields back to normal levels this year, mitigating the extended drought that afflicted most of California. A cool spring resulted in normal timing for bud break, in late March. Temperatures remained fairly cool in May and June, but high temperatures in July and again in early September triggered an early start to harvest. Quality was solid for the vintage overall.

Vineyard

Napa Valley AVA

Napa Valley

Vineyard

Sourcing for this Napa Valley Chardonnay comes from a selection of prestigious vineyards, leading with the Rodgers Vineyard from the Oak Knoll AVA, and also adding fruit from the Oak Knoll Ranch, giving the wine its plush roundness and fruit-forward characteristics. A small amount of Chardonnay fruit also comes from Yountville Ranch southern, cooler growing regions, adding balanced acidity to the rich fruit flavors.

Winemaker Harry Hansen

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

*Does not combine with other promotions or discounts.

By providing us with your details, you are consenting to receive marketing information from Sterling Vineyards. We will manage your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy available here.
We will always provide you with the opportunity to unsubscribe.

Service

LEGAL

INFORMATION

OTHER

STERLING VINEYARDS © 2024

Click to view current Tasting Room hours.

1111 Dunaweal Lane
Calistoga, CA 94515
help@sterlingvineyards.com

Connect with us

Enjoy Responsibly

Search