Napa Valley Chardonnay

Still fresh, youthful and bright. Perfectly balanced with bright with yellow fruit, yellow flowers, sunflower.

Lovely.

2011 very pretty

Stony Hill Vineyard was founded in 1943 when Fred and Eleanor McCrea bought a goat ranch on Spring Mountain in Napa. Today the winery is run by son Peter McCrea, still is best known for Chardonnay. Aromas of stone fruit and citrus. On the palate apple, melon and pear flavors, with some lemon zest and toasty notes. Nice balance with acidity on lingering finish on a gently spicy rich mineral ending. Classic CA Chard, very nice!

This wine is testimony to great California Chardonnay that is also rare in style. No oak not malolactic fermentation. Hence the longevity. This 2011 is showing a bit of age with a deeper straw color than previous bottles from the same year. Still, only a hint of oxidation in the glass and on the nose. The pear and quince have evolved to a bit of caramel and butterscotch. Delicious to drink and I admit this might be the upper limit. I will drink remaining 2012 and 13’s in the next few months.

Dark straw color suggesting a bit of oxidation. Pair and honey and a little mineral like flint. Delicious apple and pear with some subtle floral notes. I like the other reviewers notes on custard. Despite no malolactic fermentation there is a creaminess to the wine. Drink now based on this bottle though could be a cork issue.

Pale straw yellow without slightest oxidation. Pear and apple in the nose. Delicious pure Chardonnay fruitiness. Drinking incredibly well and can go longer.

This was in phenomenal shape. Delicious, balanced, good complexity and length. Not a hint of age, and still excellent the next day.

I don’t think there is a stony hill Chardonnay that we don’t enjoy - this one was on the lighter side compared to some of the more aged versions we have had. Clean, balanced and opens up beautifully while drinking.

Downing our stock before moving. Paired great with king salmon. Buttery, not very acidic. Sublime.