STONESTREET CHARDONNAY UPPER BARN 2019

95 Points Wine Enthusiast From a site at an 1,800-foot elevation, this wine is oaky and spiced, with an opening of lush apple, nutmeg and tropical flair. Minerality enters in the form of crushed rock, with well-hewn structure and high acidity at play. A note of butterscotch lingers on the finish.

95 Points Jeb Dunnuck The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard brings serious richness and depth yet still has a more mineral-laced, pure, balanced style. Ripe tangerines, white currants, brioche, honeyed minerality, and toast all dominate the bouquet, and this beauty is balanced, with nicely integrated acidity and a great finish. It doesn't match the vibrancy and precision of the 2017 and is more in the softer, more rounded style of the 2018.

94 Points  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard, matured in 50% new oak for 10 months, is reticent on the nose, taking a lot of time to segue from flint to baked apples, panna cotta and toast. The light-bodied palate features savory flavors complemented by lively acidity, and it has an expansive, spicy finish.

93 Points Decanter From the Upper Barn vineyard at over 480m in the Alexander Valley planted in 1982 to Old Wente clone Chardonnay, old vines in this part of California for Chardonnay. 2019 shows the early makings of the 2011 and is developing a similar elegance but is complete in its richenss of fruit at present. Cardamom and bruised apples and accents of lemon cream aromatics lean into a palate of lemon cream, honeyed peach and almond notes. It doesn't show the laser precision of the 2011 but offers generous, ample fruit.