Sterling Napa Chardonnay 2007

Our 2007 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay displays elegant ripe apple and lemon-custard aromas, with intriguing floral and cinnamon-spice notes. Lush tropical fruit and poached pear flavors culminate in a lemon soufflé finish. We enhanced the wine's weighty texture and exquisite balance of toasty oak by fermenting the juice entirely in small barrels and gently stirring the yeast lees during partial (70 percent) malolactic fermentation and sur lie barrel aging. We selected a combination of French, American and Hungarian barrels to add an array of oak nuances.

Lightly chilled, this wine pairs perfectly with many foods, from appetizers to entrées. Try it with a calamari appetizer or a late morning brunch of eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. Pour it with chicken, either grilled or topping a Caesar salad. For a decadent candlelight dinner, marry it with rich, succulent lobster. Enjoy!