Deep ruby-red. Very ripe, fragrant aromas of cherry-cola, blackberry and licorice, with sexy oak spice and floral notes emerging with aeration. Deep and concentrated but vibrant, with ripe, penetrating cherry and dark berry flavors and good back-end lift. Finishes chewy and long, with firm tannins and a strong kick of bitter cherry. This will reward patience.

The outstanding, well-made 2007 Pinot Noir Carneros primarily comes from Dijon clones. Its dark ruby color is accompanied by complex aromatics of spice box, plums, black cherries, and forest floor. This velvety-textured, medium to full-bodied Pinot possesses silky tannins, good fresh acids and a vivacious, full-throttle style. Enjoy it over 4-5 years.

The Russian River pinot is hedonistic in style sporting plenty of mixed black fruits on the nose with streaks of barnyard in the background. Rich and supple, it is mouth-filling without too much sweetness. The finish is balanced with earthy strawberry notes. Delicious drinking pinot to accompany the turkey.

Medium-deep, ruby red color, deep plum and black cherry aromas with a touch of toasty oak; rich and concentrated black cherry and plum flavors, good structure, great balance and finish. This Pinot's balance just says it all. Everything is here that you want - all in balance.

Easily the richest La Crema of the crowd, this ripe and generous wine comes up long on fruit and richness, and it sports an extra sense of succulence to its accessible cherry, oak and orange-rind flavors. It is fairly full and viscous with a slightly softer feel than that of its mates, and it, too, is marked by scant touches of concluding heat and coarseness.

The terrific 2000 Pinot Noir Nine Barrels displays soaring aromatics of red fruits infused with smoke, mineral, and roasted meat aromas. More oak is obvious in the smoky, vanilla-like flavors. Dense, with good acidity, moderate tannin, and a chewy, fruit-filled finish...

Dark, earthy notes punctuate smoked-meat and bright cherry aromas. Turns leathery, spicy and meaty on the full-bodied palate, finishing with firm tannins. Structured, complex and built to age...

Unfiltered Chardonnays always give us pause because their hazy appearances can often be accompanied by an array of unusual and unwanted characteristics. Not so here, however. This wine is clean and fruity throughout with sweet, gala apple notes and creme brulee notes of oak showing the way. A similar sense of focus is integral to the wine's medium-intensity flavors, and while this version of Chardonnay is not the most dramatic to be found, it is, nevertheless, a wine that is sure to be enjoyed with a wide variety of foods.

This '96 reserve is what first rate Sonoma chardonnay is all about - powerful, sensuous yet finely tuned, with layers of texture and flavor. Scents of sweet pear and guava interplay with new French oak. It's ready to drink with something rich, like grilled quail stuffed with pancetta and white truffles.

This solidly oaked California chardonnay shows butterscotch flavor in moderation, with plenty of lovely fruit and its natural acidity in balance. Here's a match for thick-cut swordfish steaks, lemonbasted, grilled and scattered with pepper.

When it comes to solidly oaked California chardonnay, the resulting butterscotch flavor is all right when apparent in moderation, all wrong when it seems to be applied with a trowel. This wine shows that flavor in moderation, with plenty of lovely fruit and its natural acidity in balance. Here's a match for thick-cut swordfish steaks, lemon-basted, grilled and scattered with pepper.

The 2017s From Sonoma The largest production cuvée, the 2017 Chardonnay is still beautiful, with a richer, rounded, style. Ripe pineapple, citrus, white flowers, and brioche define the nose. Medium-bodied, rounded, and supple on the palate, with beautiful fruit, this is one seriously pleasure-bent beauty that represents a good value.

Focused and crisp, with touches of richness to the concentrated apple pastry, pear and quince paste flavors. Dried tarragon and sage cream notes power the finish.

Lithe and powerful, with flavors redolent of ripe pear, harvest spice and Marcona almond that glide lusciously across the palate. Light smoky notes show on the rich finish.

This is a tremendous value for the quality, a full embrace of crème brûlée and baked pear that's grainy in texture and bright in acidity. Minimal oak allows for a succulent experience on the balanced palate, finishing in a burst of lemon zest and key lime.

The 2017s From Sonoma From a larger site, the 2016 Chardonnay Saralee's Vineyard was aged 10 months in just under 30% new French oak. It has a restrained bouquet of honeyed melon, orange blossom, white flowers, and a touch of tropical notes. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and rounded, with beautiful texture on the palate and a layered mouthfeel, it's another beautifully balanced Chardonnay from this team.

No shortage of excellence here, the fresh and lively 2015 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay brings ripe core fruit, a touch of savory oak, and crisp minerality in its aromas and flavors. The wine's brightness pairs it well with quickly-seared flounder accented with a toss of al dente bean sprouts.

From an estate site, this wine offers power and concentration. Creamy in texture, the generosity of fruit is balanced by notes of stone, toasted oak and French butter, making for a wonderfully complete experience on the palate.

Clean, pretty and lively, with white peach, white flowers, and hints of tangerine, the 2015 Chardonnay Saralee's Vineyard is medium-bodied, light textured, and elegant on the palate, with good acidity. This balanced, classic Chardonnay has building richness, integrated acidity, and a good finish.

La Crema winemakers get a fairly consistent wine from year to year, with bottle aging being the main difference. Cool climate (as much as California could allow) from the coast in the evening and the early morning. Expect a combo of lemons, toast and orchard fruit tones, with a smooth finish from secondary malolactic fermentation. One of my really fave California chardonnays: balanced concentration. Mostly French oak with some US; 19% of the total is new oak. 13.9% ABV (label). Excellent price. Better paired with food, from starters and apps through to cheese.

A full-bodied, well-rounded, buttery wine with lovely balancing acidity and citrus fruit notes. Ideal for roast chicken or seafood with cream sauces, as well as lobster in butter. Finishes with nuances of fresh golden apple, pear and crème brûlée.

Light, tangy, expressive and appealing, balancing open-textured grapefruit, spice and delicate mineral notes against deftly poised acidity. Lingers easily on the finish.

The 2013 Chardonnay Russian River is 100% barrel-fermented with 100% malolactic, aged eight months in 31% new French oak prior to being bottled. It’s an excellent value, especially at discounters, where I’m sure it’s probably priced as low as $25. White peach and a touch of honeysuckle are present in this elegant, pale wine that shows virtually no oak. It’s a nice, medium-bodied, pure flavor profile with a good texture and finish. Drink it over the next several years.

A full-bodied, well-rounded, buttery wine with lovely balancing acidity and citrus fruit notes. Ideal for roast chicken or seafood with cream sauces, as well as lobster in butter. The Chardonnay grapes for this Californian white wine are a regional blend from vineyards in the Russian River valley. Finishes with nuances of fresh golden apple, pear and crème brûlée. Pair with roast chicken.