From the winery:
(2009 Description)
Ripe, healthy fruit was hand-picked into small totes, and then whole-cluster pressed. Half of the juice was fermented in French Oak barrels (20% new) to create a round, rich texture. The other half was fermented and aged in stainless steel to maintain the purest and most elegant expression of Chardonnay. After eight months, these two styles were blended to create a cuvée of a more delicate nature — to Véronique, it is as if one brought together elements of a pure Chablis and a gentle Meursault.
The 2009 Arthur has surprised me in so many ways. I expected it to be more like 2006 because of the similar heat accumulation through the year. But it seems that 2009 takes the best of 2006 (ripe, lush, round fruit) and the best of 2008 (bright acidity and sharp structure), and combines them in a most enjoyable way. The gently honeyed texture and trademark range of white flower aromatics is delicious. Enjoy now and for the next several years! - Véronique Drouhin-Boss, September 2010
The fruit for Starmont Chardonnay is grown in our favorite cooler areas of the Napa Valley, including the Oak Knoll District and Carneros, including our Stanly Ranch Estate Vineyard, where the maritime influence keeps the focus on crisp, vibrant fruit. The fruit was carefully sorted and whole-cluster pressed to preserve freshness. The light oak treatment gives a round mouth feel and improved complexity, while highlighting the fruit driven focus of the wine.
Color: golden straw
Aroma: crisp apple, tangerine, apricot tart, citrus blossom, white flowers, subtle toast, vanilla, stone fruit
Taste: bright focused entry to a round, fleshy mid-palate; apple, citrus and stone fruit with a hint of toast and spice; long, lingering finish. - See more at: http://www.merryvale.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=winedetails.displaywinetype&WineTypeID=2#sthash.YCe4ezdX.dpuf
Color: golden straw
Aroma: crisp apple, tangerine, apricot tart, citrus blossom, white flowers, subtle toast, vanilla, stone fruit
Taste: bright focused entry to a round, fleshy mid-palate; apple, citrus and stone fruit with a hint of toast and spice; long, lingering finish. - See more at: http://www.merryvale.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=winedetails.displaywinetype&WineTypeID=2#sthash.YCe4ezdX.dpuf