The stunning 1999 Chardonnay Thieriot Vineyard offers a light greenish/ gold-tinged straw color in addition to a superb nose of candied citrus, tropical fruit, minerals, and orange marmalade. The oak provides a subtle smoky, almost camphor-like note. The wine is dense, long, and full-bodied, yet exquisitely well-balanced with nicely integrated acidity and wood. This terrific, multi-textured Chardonnay should drink well for 5-7 years. Ted Lemon feels that the extra layers of texture and complexity might have been the result of the extremely slow malolactic fermentations that characterized 1999. Virtually all of Littorai's wines, save those sold at restaurants, are purchased via a mailing list. (Release date, spring 2001) Tel. (707) 963-4762; fax (707) 963-7332