90 Pts - Wine Spectator - "Delivers a beam of lemon-grapefruit citrus, followed by green apple and tart pear notes, creating a mouthwatering burst of flavor. This ends gracefully, with a dash of toasty oak. Drink now through 2020." JL
2012 Mueller Chardonnay, "LB"
Fermentation: Aged in 100% French oak, 100% ML fermentation
The 2012 “LB” Chardonnay utilizes the rare Wente clone chardonnay fruit from Kent Rosenblum’s Lone Oak Vineyard in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Grapes are harvested in the cool of early morning into small 30 pound picking boxes. Grape clusters are pressed whole, the juice settled for 48 hours, then transferred into French oak barrels for fermentation. Three yeast strains were used and and wine aged on yeast lees until bottling.
Sparkling medium yellow/gold in color, this wine explodes with bright, clear tropical fruit aromas (think pineapple!). Full in body and generous in flavor, this wine glides softly with beautifully balanced natural acidity. Mango, pineapple, pear and apple flavors dance harmoniously on the palette in this enormously enjoyable wine. The finish; long and crisp with a touch of oak. Enjoyable today or cellar for an additional 2-4 years for added complexity.