Stony Hill Vineyard Chardonnay Spring Mountain District 2019
(Napa Valley, California) 750mL - [DM 94] [JS 93] [WS 93] [VM 92]

Notes from the Winemaker:
Stony Hill Vineyard is a wine producer situated on the slopes of Spring Mountain in California's Napa Valley. The estate is renowned for its age-worthy Chardonnay wines that are have been produced without malolactic fermentation or new oak since the estate's first harvest in 1952.

Fred and Eleanor McCrea founded Stony Hill in 1943. Within five years they had planted the land to vineyard, beginning first with Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Blanc grapes, before supplementing these grape varieties with Gewurztraminer and Semillon. The Stony Hill estate has since added Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to its portfolio of grapes and in 2020, the property was acquired by the Lawrence family. 

The vineyards reach as high as 1550ft (470m) above sea level, and span roughly 12 hectares (30 acres) of the mountain's northeast-facing slopes. The volcanic top soils are rich in minerals, and overlay layers of limestone. This terroir, combined with the area's mild climate, make for ideal viticultural conditions. These vineyards have been dry-farmed since their establishment in the 1950s.

The grape harvest is dictated predominately by the pH levels of the fruit in order to guarantee wines with longevity and complexity. The Chardonnay grapes are picked from vines that average 30 years old. In the winery, these grapes are crushed and pressed with minimal skin contact, and are then fermented in neutral oak barrels. After fermentation, the wine is racked off its lees and aged in neutral oak barrels of more than 10 years old.

The Stony Hill Riesling vines were first planted in 1948 and many of these original vines are still used to produce its White Riesling label. The estate also makes a Gewürztraminer, passito-style Sémillon and Cabernet Sauvignon.

About this Wine:
APPELLATION Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
VARIETAL 100% Chardonnay
AGE OF VINES 31 years
BARREL AGEING New and Used French Oak
TOTAL ACIDITY 6.3 g/L
RESIDUAL SUGAR 2.3 g/L
PH 3.46
ALCOHOL 13.8

Tasting Notes:
A true expression of classic Stony Hill Chardonnay, the 2019 Estate Chardonnay contains notes of marzipan, brioche, and satsumas while still showcasing the mineral, saline cornerstone that has become the stamp of our dynamic vineyard. This wine can be enjoyed now or saved as it has the structure and lift to be cellared for years to come.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Stony Hill from Napa's Spring Mountain District AVA is a newcomer to the BBR portfolio this autumn. Not necessarily what you'd expect from a Napa Chardonnay, there's certainly generosity and ripeness to the creamy citrus fruit, but it's held in check by a lively line of acidity, while the palate unfurls in complex layers of chamomile, ripe pear and lime zest, with spicy and flroal notes. Very fine, elegant and precise. (Drink between 2024-2030)" - Julie Sheppard (Oct 2024)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Aromatic and mineral-driven notes of lime leaves, lemon curd, orange blossoms and lanolin. The plate is medium-bodied and textural with bright acidity, giving notes of grapefruit, red apples, chalk and beeswax. Sophisticated and tightly wound, with an underlying power. Drink or hold." (Dec 2024)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This leaps out of the glass, with mouthwatering Honeycrisp apple and tangerine notes, plus a savory thread of saline, toasted herbs and grilled Meyer lemon on a sleek, precise frame. Details of toasted sesame seed and pastry crust add graceful notes, but the pure focus is on the fresh fruit and minerally sea salt flavors. Drink now through 2033. 1,100 cases made." - MaryAnn Worobiec (Mar 2024)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2019 Chardonnay is rich, creamy and super-expressive. Dried pear, spice, chamomile and spice all meld together in this gorgeous, distinctive offering. This is an especially earthy, savory Chardonnay, and a particularly dense style for here." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2023)