The 1993 Chardonnay Reserve reveals a complex, honeyed, roasted nut, smoky, buttery-scented nose. The wine possesses a creamy texture, highly extracted fruit, well-integrated new oak, and a spicy, long, heady finish. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.Tel. (805) 937-7288

Fans of smoky, roasted, buttery, salty beer nuts and unctuously-textured, thick Chardonnay should love this flashy, chewy, large-scaled wine. There is no doubting its immense appeal. Most California Chardonnays this precocious and oaky tend to quickly drop their fruit. Nevertheless, this wine will offer irresistible drinking over the next year.Tel. (805) 937-7288.

The Byron winery, which was acquired by Robert Mondavi in 1990, continues to turn out attractive Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Improvements are warranted with respect to the Pinot Noir program. Both the Chardonnay offerings are rich, lavishly oaked wines with copious quantities of buttery, honeyed apple, and pineapple-like fruit. The spicy 1992 Chardonnay-Estate is neither as rich nor as thick as the 1991 Reserve. Both wines are best drunk over the next several years. Tel. (805) 937-7288