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2019 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay

2019 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay

2019 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay

Tasting Notes

On the nose, enveloping aromas of lemon and lemon zest are followed by notes of crisp green apple and lightly toasted walnut. On the palate, lemon curd and almond are supported by luscious notes of ripe stone fruit. A bright acidity is present throughout but balanced by a deliciously creamy mouthfeel. The finish is classic Napa Chardonnay and has a great persistence.

Technical Information

Varietal Chardonnay
Vintage 2019
Volume 750mL
Appellation Napa Valley
Alcohol % 14.5%

Scores & Accolades

  • 92
    “Aromas of baked lemon, flint and straw. Medium-bodied. A lovely array of herbs and whole spice on the palate. Refreshing tannins in the finish. Drink now.” - James Suckling, June 1, 2022

Winemaking

Our Chardonnay 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 2019 vintage only a small portion of the blend (5%) was fermented in stainless-steel tanks to capture bright fruit character and retain fresh acidity. Some 95% 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.

Vintage

After a damp late winter and spring, the 2019 California vintage started one to two weeks later than normal, followed by cool temperatures that allowed the grapes to mature gradually. Owing to the extended, cool growing season, wine grapes ripened slowly with full flavors and superb balance.

Vineyard

The majority of the fruit for this Napa Valley Chardonnay comes from a selection of prestigious vineyards in the most southern part of Napa Valley, Stanly Ranch, BV 8, and BV 9, all from the Carneros AVA. These Chardonnay vineyards are located in the cool, windy Carneros AVA at the southernmost tip of Napa Valley, where the region’s shallow clay loam soils and marine-influenced climate foster ripe, beautifully balanced Chardonnays. The remainder of the fruit comes from Yountville Ranch, which is in the heart of the town of Yountville along the Napa River.