2011 Stonestreet Chardonnay Upper Barn

The 2011 Chardonnay Upper Barn comes across deep, rich and implosive. A wine of considerable energy and sheer power, the 2011 boasts serious extract. The Upper Barn is the biggest and broadest of the Stonestreet Chardonnays. It will appeal most to readers who like powerful Chardonnays. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2018.

Author: Antonio Galloni

(from a Hyde Wente clone): Full bright yellow. Ripe, deep aromas of lemon peel, tangerine, beeswax, crushed rock and dusty herbs, with hints of honey and tropical fruits. Large-scaled, rich and tactile, with nearly viscous flavors of lemon, white peach and butterscotch. Really compelling, ripe, vibrant fruit here, and wonderfully broad and dry. Very complex and sexy wine, a brilliant rendition of this outstanding chardonnay vineyard.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: May/June 2013