Stuhlmuller Vineyards Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2007

Stuhlmuller Vineyards is located at the southern edge of the Alexander Valley, where it converges with two other highly regarded Sonoma County appellations, Chalk Hill and the Russian River Valley. On its eastern edge, the 150-acre vineyard borders the Russian River. Situated in a unique location that is part river benchlands and part hillside, the vineyard benefits from its alluvial gravel soils and the more rocky soils that comprise the hillside sections of the vineyard.

The 2007 growing season was an excellent vintage for Chardonnay in Sonoma County. A nice warm spring, and two early-season heat spikes in mid-June and early July helped set the stage for a relatively early harvest. Our Chardonnay harvest coincided with a heat spell in late August and concluded the second week of September. The overall quality was exceptional, with clean, pure-fruit flavors and refreshing acidity at lower alcohol levels.

This wine displays a pale gold color with green reflections. Aromas of pineapple, sweet white corn and spicy Asian pear combine with notes of fresh nuts, barrel spice and hints of ginger. On the palate it balances medium acidity with integrated oak and a lush texture revealing layers of pineapple, pear, lemon cream pie, honeysuckle and spice.