The 2005 Chardonnay Charles Ranch has a medium straw color. A crisp, elegant wine with a tannic structure, it is powerful, rich, and long, with hints of quince, marmalade, and wet stones. This full-bodied, structured Chardonnay should be even better with another year of bottle-age and last for 5-6 years. Kudos to the Martinelli family, one of the great old winemaking families of Northern California. (They also produce exquisite apples as well.) Previously recommended: 2004 Chardonnay Charles Ranch (91); 2004 Chardonnay Martinelli Road (94); 2004 Chardonnay Woolsey Road (92); 2004 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch (89?); 2004 Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge (92); 2004 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard (89); 2004 Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch (92); 2004 Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch (90); 2004 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa (93); 2004 Jackass Vineyard (93); 2004 Jackass Hill Vineyard (95) Tel. (707) 525-0570; Fax (707) 525-9463