2007 Stonestreet Upper Barn Chardonnay

This small 385 case production of Chardonnay is made with the "old Wente clone" Chardonnay clone and is sourced from vineyards located 1800 ft above sea level. The soil there is rocky and shallow and produces a wine of amazing texture and complexity. Helen Turley actually used to make this wine for her now famous Marcassin label.

On the nose I get amazingly delicious aromas of caramel, baked apple, buttered cinnamon-toast, nectarine, and lemon blossom. It's definitely a California-style wine with it big, audacious, and buttery characteristics.

On the palate the wine explodes with rich layers of caramel apple, butter, ribbon candy, and mineral. The acidity holds the wine in check and cleans it all up on the finish, where it displays very nice toasted oak and baked apple flavors.

It's wonderful to taste a wine made with the "old Wente Clone" A new friend of mine named George has been drinking wine for 40+ years and says it's one of the best Chardonnay clones out there. I agree.....thx George.   92 points

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