The 2016 Chardonnay Alexander Valley (brought up in 30% new barrels) offers lots of white flowers, citrus, and salty, rocky mineral-like notes. It’s fresh, straight, and elegant, with terrific purity.

Very rich right from the first with a multi-layered nose of toast, roasted nuts and suggestions of sweet lemon curd all underlain by a substantial foundation of concentrated, optimally ripened, apple-like fruit, the latest Matanzas Creek Journey is an ambitious, very expressive effort whose ample, very deep flavors deliver all of the richness and range that its involving aromas promise. It is a sizeable, decidedly mouthfilling wine, to be sure, yet it is never in the least bit ponderous, and, while it has the structural solidity and fruity reserve to guarantee several years of positive growth, it is a far-reaching working that will make memorable drinking in the near term with flavorful dishes that beg for Chardonnays of unhesitant richness. 2 stars.

The 2015 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) is gorgeous. Supple, creamy and inviting, the 2015 offers lovely depth in a forward, friendly wine that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. Apricot, tangerine, pineapple and buttery notes all flesh out in this super appealing, plush appellation-level Chardonnay. All the elements are very nicely balanced.

This light yellow colored Chardonnay opens with an attractive lemon, oak and pear bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied and nicely balanced between its fruit and acidity. The flavor profile is an oak influenced Bartlett pear with hints of butterscotch, lemon verbena and a touch of pineapple. The finish is dry and its flavors and light acidity tingle your tongue for just a little bit. This Chard is very food friendly and would pair nicely with chicken francese.

Matanzas has always been identified with three grape varieties: merlot, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. That's no accident. They've long been among California's best at all three and this latest Sonoma County chardonnay makes the point. It allows the fruit to shine without undue influence from an oak barrel. With bright aromas of pear and apple and a touch of lemon, complemented by notes of nutmeg and vanilla, it is downright delicious and at $28 modestly priced given the winery's stature.

The 2014 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) is a gorgeous appellation-level Chardonnay. Yellow stone fruit, slate, white flowers vanillin and French oak notes abound in this very pretty and nuanced Chardonnay from Matanzas Creek. This is another terrific value within the Matanzas Creek lineup.

A nicely balanced Sonoma classic; rich with ripe fruit, toasty oak and a long, lush finish.

Smooth and lush with creamy texture and lovely generous fruit; toasty vanilla oak with soft acidity; long and balanced.

Another delicious, entry-level offering, the 2013 Chardonnay (Bennett Valley) is redolent of bright orchard fruit, tangerine, almonds, flowers and spices. Drink this forward, expressive Chardonnay over the next few years.

Pale gold. Smoky melon and peach on the deeply scented nose and in the mouth. Round and expansive, with a lemony nuance adding focus and lift to the wine's lush fruit. Closes with repeating smokiness, a hint of vanilla and excellent, mineral-tinged length.

The 2012 Chardonnay Bennett Valley (425 cases produced) comes from chalky soils, is fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged in 30% new French oak. This more backward-styled Chardonnay exhibits notes of quince, white peach and white currants, medium body, refreshing acidity and admirable intensity. Drink this beauty over the next 5-6 years, although I suspect it may last even longer.

Bright yellow. Vibrant aromas of candied citrus fruits, pear and jasmine, with subtle vanilla and nougat qualities building with air. Taut and focused on entry, then more broad in the middle, offering ripe pear and nectarine flavors and a touch of lemon zest. Finishes with very good grip and focus, leaving a bright mineral note behind.

The 2011 Chardonnay Journey is gorgeous. A wine of crystalline purity and nuance, the 2011 is endowed with an exotic, perfumed quality that is highly appealing. Apricots, orange zest, mango, jasmine and ginger are all layered together quite nicely. There is plenty of nuance in the glass and gorgeous palate presence, but no sense of excess weight. The 2011 was made mostly from high elevation sites in Alexander Valley. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016.

A keen bite of acidity works in this flashy Chard’s favor, balancing the richness and giving the finish life and zest. It’s tremendous in tropical fruit, peach jam, honey and buttered toast flavors. A fancy, impressive wine for drinking now.

Ripe. lush and creamy with juicy acidity and nervy style; deep, intense and rich with impressive finesse; long and elegant.

Light yellow-gold. Spicy, mineral-accented orange and quince on the nose and in the mouth. Becomes richer with air, picking up fresh melon and fig qualities and a touch of sweet butter that carries through a very long, focused finish. This youthful wine should be even better with another year or two of bottle age.

The 2009 Chardonnay Bennett Valley was barrel-fermented and aged in 20% new oak. Medium to full-bodied with notes of honeysuckle, pear, pineapple and white peach, it is a stylish, crisp white with the oak component clearly pushed to the background. Quality is slowly rising at Matanzas Creek since it was acquired by Jess Jackson a number of years ago. He has done an excellent job bringing in winemaker Marcia Monahan and returning this estate to its glory days of the early nineties.

Greenish yellow color. Fresh, leesy pear and orange aromas are complicated by smoky minerals and white flowers. Initially restrained but opens with aeration to offer deep pear and apple flavors and a slow-building roasted nut quality. The mineral notes repeat strongly on the finish, which is spicy, focused and quite long. This will repay a few more years of bottle aging.

This ruby colored Pinot Noir opens with a very attractive blueberry and red cherry bouquet with a hint of cola. I could smell this wine for hours! On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and savory. The flavor profile is a strawberry rhubarb and black plum blend with notes of oak, minerality and blueberry. I also detected hints of black pepper and cranberry towards the end. The finish is dry and its flavors and a moderate acidity linger and last for quite a while. Decant this Pinot in the near term and pair it with Chinese pork ribs.

This red colored Pinot Noir from Maggy Hawk is very good. It opens with a Lifesavers Strawberry Creme Saver like bouquet with hints of cola and some forest floor. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and juicy. The flavor profile is a cola and oak blend with notes of black plum and black tea. We also detected some hints of black pepper and clove. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins show nice length. Our mini-tasting group thought this Pinot would pair nicely with duck.

This light red colored Pinot Noir from Maggy Hawk opens with a fragrant spiced red plum and craisin bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and gentle. The flavor profile is a gentle red plum and red currant blend with notes of oak. I also detected hints minerality and strawberry. The finish is dry and it moderate tannins stick around for quite a while. This Pinot would pair nicely with a cowboy cut prime rib. Very good+.

Medium ruby color; forward and earthy aromas of brambly dark fruits, spice and bittersweet chocolate notes; full, lively and lush dark cherry and plum flavors with cocoa and cola notes; lush texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Big, deep Pinot with lots of flavor.

Bright ruby-red. Lively and assertively perfumed, displaying scents of raspberry, strawberry, potpourri and blood orange. Offers incisive red fruit and mineral flavors and a hint of cola that builds with air. Sharply focused and pure, with excellent finishing clarity and length and silky tannins that blend smoothly into the wine's intense fruit.

Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy aromas of dark cherry and berry with a hint of marzipan and spice. Well-endowed with luscious cherry and berry fruits with a noticeable oak overlay that compliments rather than intrudes. The tannins are modest and supportive, and the finish has a generous richness.

Ruby-red. Intense, spice-laced dark berry and cherry aromas, along with a touch of potpourri. The most exotic of this set of pinots, offering juicy red fruit liqueur and rose pastille flavors and a touch of vanillin oak spice. Finishes tangy and long, with resonating spiciness and gently gripping tannins.