The 2017 Upper Barn Vineyard Chardonnay expresses Stargazer lily, yellow nectarine and orange blossom on the nose. The palate reflects those qualities together with a savory underpinning. The texture is both opulent and elegant, exhibiting the balance of fruit and a quartz-like translucency that only age, and the superb site situated at 1,800 feet can bring to a wine. This wine is extremely well-integrated with a lingering, mouthwatering and round finish.
JEB DUNNUCK 98 POINTS - "I was blown away by the 2017 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard, one of the finest Chardonnays in this report. Coming from the oldest estate vines on the Alexander Valley site, planted in 1982, and aged 11 months in 50% new French oak, it leads with an incredible bouquet of pineapple, white flowers, crushed rocks, and spice. With medium to full body, high yet integrated acidity, a thrilling texture, and a great, great finish, this is pure class and a remarkable effort from this estate. It's drinking brilliantly today yet I suspect has the class to evolve for over a decade."