The quality of wine coming from Stonestreet winery never surprises me. One, because I've been there and understand how they run their amazing facility.....Two, because I've seen their amazing mountain side vineyards, and three because I've tasted their Chardonnay's for years and have constantly been blown away.

The 2008 Stonestreet Gold Run Chardonnay is sourced from block 27 on the Alexander Mountain Estate.Alexander Mountain Estate stands on the western ridge of the Mayacamas Mountains towering overthe Alexander Valley below. It's a really small 221 case production aged for 11 months in 100% new French oak barrels.

On the nose I get the most amazing aromas of baked apple pie, quince paste, creme brulee, guava, soft citrus, mineral, and just a hint of clove. It's a beautiful bouquet that expresses the essence of the varietal, but it also quite influenced by new and expensive French oak.

On the palate the wine explodes onto the palate with a full and lush texture and expresses flavors of buttered toast, creme brulee, yellow apple, baking spice, and white peach. The wine is rich without being cloying and packs quite a punch with it's big alcohol and stunning acidity.

To be completely honest this is one of the best Chards I've tasted in 2011. It has everything I enjoy with a world class California Chardonnay......texture, fruit, acidity, minerality, and the potential to improve in the bottle. 94 points


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