Rodney Strong’s 2009 Chardonnay Reserve is a gorgeous wine laced with apricots, tangerine, mint, flowers and spices. The aromas and flavors are given additional dimensions of volume through aging in French oak barrels (26% new) and full malolactic fermentation. Though quite lush at first, the wine finds its minerality and focus on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Rodney Strong has retained the services of David Ramey to consult on their Reserve program, and it shows in the quality of these wines.Tel. (800) 678-4763

Over-manipulated, a soft, sugary, buttered popcorn-tasting wine with pineapple jam flavors. The underlying fruit seems fine, but the winery needs to focus more on dryness and structure.——S.H.(7/1/2011)—— 84

New oak dominates the aromas and flavors, with buttered toast, buttered popcorn and caramel overwhelming the underlying fruit, which suggests pineapples and green apples. Although the wine is dry and acidity is fine, the fruit lacks the richness to support the oak.——S.H.(2/1/2010)—— 87