Stuhlmuller Vineyards
2010 Alexander Valley Estate Chardonnay
Proprietor
Winemaker
Fritz Stuhlmuller
Leo Hansen
Vineyards
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.
The Clones
Five blocks of Chardonnay are planted in the well-drained, benchland soils.
The famous Gauer Upper Barn clone, one of California’s most sought-after
Chardonnay selections, comprises 80 percent of these vines. The 2010 Estate
Chardonnay is crafted from a mix of Gauer and clone 4 fruit. From the Gauer
clone, the Chardonnay derives flavors of Asian pear, spice and a natural
nuttiness, while the clone 4 grapes contribute mild tropical flavors.
The Vintage
The 2010 vintage was one of the coolest in decades. Cool-to-moderate
temperatures with lots of fog continued well into summer, until things
warmed up in September, starting with a big heat spike at the beginning of the
month. The September warmth kick-started the ripening, and we began a
protracted harvest in the third week of September that went all the way into
November. Yields were fine in 2010, and the cool weather delivered grapes
with fresh, pure varietal flavors at lower alcohols and with good acidity,
Winemaking
To accentuate the signature fruit and natural nuttiness of our estate grapes, we
fermented this wine with 100% indigenous yeasts. Aging occurred in both
barrels (88%) and larger casks (12%), all of which were French oak (7%
new). The wine was fermented sur lie for 8 months and underwent 45%
indigenous malolactic fermentation.
The Wine
This is our lowest alcohol Chardonnay to date. As a result it offers
beautiful citrus and lemon custard aromas as well as lovely orchard fruit
notes. Flavors of green pineapple, pear, orange blossom and apple are
revealed on the palate, supported by bright, food-friendly acid and subtle
textural notes imparted from the French oak and sur lie aging.
Technical
Notes
Alcohol:
pH:
Total Acidity:
Production:
Release Date:
Bottled:
Suggested Retail:
13.7%
3.45
0.64 g/100ml
7,450 cases
Fall 2011
June 2011
$24.00