An inviting hint of butter shows on the nose of this big, bold and concentrated wine. It displays craftsmanship through its embrace of lightly toasted oak, which accents vibrant apple and pear notes. It's lushly textured, with persistent acidity and a lemon peel flourish on the close.

Brilliant acidity, dryness and tangy minerality mark this Chardonnay. The grapes come from the estate vineyard in the cool, southern part of the valley. Shows tangy, steel-tinged flavors of pineapples, oranges and honeysuckle, with an extraordinary richness that finishes dry.

An extravagant Chardonnay, rich in buttered toast and vanilla cream from oak barrels, and opulent fruit flavors of ripe, sweet pineapples, golden mangoes and pears. The sur lie aging shows up in a creamy, yeasty richness. Holding this wine for a year or two will not harm it. ——S.H.(12/15/2010)—— 90