Twenty-five percent of the outstanding, complex 2003 Chardonnay Mountain Estate Vineyard was put through malolactic. Produced primarily from the old Wente clone and small amounts of Dijon material, this Chardonnay reveals hints of litchi and hazelnuts, orange rinds, and subtle brioche. Impressive fruit on the attack and mid-palate, good underlying acidity, and a delicate touch of oak fill out the wine’s personality. This brilliant effort should drink well for 3-4 years. Fred Fisher and his daughter/winemaker, Whitney, continue to fine tune their wines. They have had to replant several of their Napa vineyards as well as parcels at their beautiful mountainside estate on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Mountains. The Fishers indicated that they will soon stop purchasing fruit and produce only estate bottled wines. Tel. (707) 539-7511; Fax (707) 539-3601