Matanzas Creek Winery-Chardonnay-Sonoma Valley-California-2005-$21.99-A crisp nose of citrus fruit, golden color. A nice, smooth, good acidity, drinking wine with lemon oil, orange zest, and hazelnut with just the right amount of oak. I have reviewed the 2006 also, this was a better vintage, not by much but enough that you would notice. RP-90 CR-4-4.5 Good with seafood, chicken and salads.
Pessagno-Sleepy Hollow Vineyard-Chardonnay-Santa Lucia Highlands-California-2005- $35.00-The nose was crisp, zesty acidity, great color of bold yellow, wine was right on edge, a few more months and it would be past it’s peak. It needed a few minutes to open, then was very smooth, vanilla, citrus and subdued oak. A great Chard, at this price level, a special occasion wine, the 2006 is available in stores now. I visited this winery a couple years ago, worth seeking it out if you are in the Monterey area. NR CR-4.5 Great with chicken, seafood, pasta.
Stonestreet-Alexander Valley-Chardonnay-Healdsburg-California-2006-$19.98-A nice clean tropical fruit nose, golden in color. Smooth, honey, pear, full-bodied with the right amount of oak. A very good Chard, delivers taste of a $30 wine. RP-92 CR-4-4.5 Good with chicken, salads, pasta.
Castle Rock Winery-Chardonnay-Barrel Fermented-Central Coast-California-2007-$9.49- Nice nose of vanilla and citrus, golden in color. Vanilla, pear, melon with right amount of oak. A good value, buy a case at this price. NR CR-4 Good with chicken, salads, pasta.