Winery - Stoller Vineyards
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a bit fat and forward, with flavors of tropical fruit and banana, and a light dusting of cocoa, cinnamon and butterscotch. It’s a tasty wine to drink up as soon as possible.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is soft, fruity and very approachable, with flavors of strawberry jam. Highlights of sassafras and a pleasing spiciness add texture and interest.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is oily and ripe, with plenty of butter, butterscotch and toasty new oak. What elevates it, as with all Pacific Northwest Chardonnays, is the extra acidity, that provides a foundation of support under the lush fruit and generous new oak. It might smooth out a bit over the next couple of years, but it’s a wine built to be savored sooner rather than later.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This wine offers some meaty fruit flavors that gather round the midpalate and hold there; a big bundle of berries, cherries and plums, annotated with cinnamon and spice. There’s even a hint of mint, and the slightest suggestion of fresh cilantro; the only off-note is a little gluey flavor in the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
JV Estate stands for junior vines; these young vines bring on sweet, candied flavors of berries and citrus. There’s no depth here, but what’s up front is fresh and fruity, if slightly sugary. The impression of granular sugar lingers into the midpalate, where some green tannins also appear. But for the price, this is a fine bottle for near-term enjoyment.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Acidic, bracing and crisp, this unoaked Chardonnay is dubbed JV (for junior vines). Think fresh-cut apples, with a little lemon juice drizzled over them. A clean, fresh, easy-drinking summer style.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A real success in a challenging vintage, this is a meaty, flavorful, well-built Pinot Noir. The fruit is a mix of berries, especially strawberry, with accents of peach, cola, earth, sassafras and cinnamon. The wine keeps on going; it doesn’t wimp out or turn bitter. It’s interesting now, but should develop even more flavor with some years of cellaring.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Young and spicy, with deeply-etched cranberry fruit flavors, limned with leafy herbal tannins. The core of fruit is pretty as can be, and the nicely-managed tannins wrap it in a perfect frame, while giving it added muscle. Another two or three years in the bottle will really bring this into focus.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
From Dijon clones, this sculpted, tight, compact Chardonnay feels as if it is shut in a cocoon. Give it time (and decanting) to unwrap, and it shows elegant tropical and stone fruits, caramel, vanilla cream and butter flavors, backed with moderate acids.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a standout in this price range. The well-defined cherry/cranberry fruit is wrapped in fresh rosemary and tarragon spices; the tannins are polished and there is an intriguing scent of pine forest that permeates the finishing flavors also. Such complexity is not always found in wines twice as expensive.
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