The 1998 Chardonnay Edna Valley is butterscotch, smoky, exotic, and toasty. It should be consumed over the next 12-24 months.Meridian has consistently maintained a fair pricing policy, so while this effort may not be a super-star, it represents well-made wines selling at reasonable prices. Readers take note.Tel. (805) 237-6000; fax (805) 239-5715.

This wine possesses Burgundian-like aromas of roasted nuts, and smoky, leesy fruit intertwined with exotic coconut scents have resulted in a rich, medium-bodied, honeyed, hedonistic style of Chardonnay. This is an attractive, in-your-face Chardonnay to drink over the next year.Tel. (805) 237-6000

This wine exhibits an atypical Viognier-like fruitiness in its lychee nut, apricot flavors. However, the presence of toasty new oak keeps this component from gushing from the glass. The wine reveals plenty of wood and fruit, high acidity (not all of it integrated), and a crisp, clean finish. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.