The sensational 2009 Chardonnay Far Coast Vineyard offers up notes of almond paste, cinnamon, honey, crisp apples and white currants. This mineral-dominated, medium to full-bodied Chardonnay possesses a singular style. It should drink nicely for 4-5 years. Seascape is a ridge top property west of the village of Occidental that faces Bodega Bay in the Pacific Ocean, one of the coldest, windiest sites in the Sonoma Coast.

Bright gold. Pungent aromas of citrus pith, pear and flowers, plus a suggestion of smoky lees. Penetrating, minerally and uncompromisingly dry, offering intense orchard fruit and bitter citrus flavors that gain sweetness with air. An elegant, nervy and tactile wine that should age gracefully. Finishes chewy and very ling, repeating the floral note.

Pale, hazy gold. Pungent aromas of pear, grapefruit peel, saffron and smoky minerals. Juicy, intense and mineral-driven, with impressive extract to the flavors of lemongrass, orchard fruits and citrus pith. The wine's vibrant acidity adds delineation to a long, juicy, intensely stony finish. I really like this wine's interplay of richness and energy.

Seascape is perhaps the winery's coldest vineyard, right in the path of the wind blast coming in off Bodega Bay. You can taste the Pacific chill in the high acidity that makes the fruit so pure and intense. The flavors, of Meyer lemons, lime zest and stony minerals, are bracing, and the finish is absolutely, thoroughly dry. This is a sommelier's dream of a Chardonnay.

2005 CHARDONNAY STONE COTE Limited in availability, the 990-case cuvee of 2005 Chardonnay Stone Cote (essentially a single vineyard parcel within the Durell Vineyard) is a mineral-dominated effort revealing notions of limes, lemons, tangerine oil, and flint. Full-bodied with Burgundian-like leesiness, it is a rich Chardonnay to consume over the next 5-6 years. This is one of my favorite wineries for Burgundian-styled Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs as well as full-throttle Zinfandels (although the 2005s are lighter than usual). Don Hartford and Jess Jackson have incredible access to some fabulous vineyards.

93 HARTFORD COURT CHARDONNAY SEASCAPE VINEYARD UNFILTERED A super 2004 is the Chardonnay Seascape. This cold Sonoma Coast site exhibits wonderful candied citrus, honeyed grapefruit, orange marmalade, honeysuckle, and floral characteristics, great fruit on the attack and mid-palate, full body, and beautiful purity. Sadly, there are only 279 cases produced. This is one of my favorite wineries for Burgundian-styled Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs as well as full-throttle Zinfandels (although the 2005s are lighter than usual). Don Hartford and Jess Jackson have incredible access to some fabulous vineyards.

This chardonnay feels gentle and sure. The flavors follow an elegant line, nothing overstated. It's cool and generously long, the fruit and acidity incorporated in a flavor of lemon and kumquat, the oak reading as light spice, cinnamon and caraway. Suited to age, or to grilled bluenose bass,

93 Points - Hartford Court 2003 Sonoma Coast Stone Cote Vineyard Chardonnay. Featured as one of the 100 Best Wines of the Year

Offers rich aromas of lemon butter, wet rocks, pears, peaches, and honeyed grapefruit. As Mike Sullivan said, this cuvée is for Chardonnay lovers who enjoy the so-called stone fruits in their wines. Elegant, full-bodied, and rich, with fine acidity giving uplift to the aromatics and flavors, it should be consumed over the next 3-4 years.

The most flamboyant of this trio, exhibiting more tropical fruit (pineapples, oranges, and papaya) in a full-bodied, complex, extroverted style. Pure, rich, and long, this is a beauty to drink over the next 2-3 years.

A colossal effort, the 400 case cuvee of 2000 Hartford Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard (from vines planted in 1904) boasts a mere 16 % alcohol. Raspberry liqueur intermixed with briery, berry fruit, and a distinctive pepper earthiness are characteristics of this full throttle, balls-to-the-walls Zinfandel. Dense and huge yet surprisingly well balanced, it will drink well for 5-6 years.

USA, California, Northern California: Napa & Some Sonoma New Releases Composed of 100% Syrah aged 21 months in 31% new French oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, the deep garnet-purple colored 2014 Outer Limits gives up pronounced black cherry cordial, blackberry pie and blueberry compote scents with hints of smoky bacon, star anise, garrigue, dried herbs and tilled soil. Full-bodied with firm, rounded tannins and tons of freshness, the palate is packed with spicy black fruits, finishing long and peppery.

From a coastal site overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Annapolis, this is cool-climate yet brawny in its grasp of cherry cola, black pepper and black licorice, that is wild and densely packed with power. Wild blackberry and blueberry come along for the ride, adding to the succulence of the midpalate, a nice contrast to the underlying gaminess and tobacco.

Offers a lively beam of crisp acidity, paired with complex and precise blueberry, raspberry, white pepper and licorice flavors that build richness toward a long finish.

Floral blueberry and stony mineral aromas open to spirited yet structured sweet anise and white pepper flavors that build tension toward refined tannins.

Exploring The Best New Releases from Sonoma and Beyond The 2017 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard is laced with the essence of dark cherry, leather, spice, tobacco, cedar and menthol. Pliant and forward, with plenty of bright supporting acidity, the 2017 has a lot to offer. The earthy, spicy side of Zinfandel comes through nicely.

Broad and burly, with concentrated blueberry and blackberry flavors accented by tar, licorice and smoked pepper notes. Builds power toward broad-shouldered tannins.

Opens with rich, supple fruit that quickly takes on power and depth, offering raspberry, lavender and rosemary notes, with white pepper accents.

The Surprise of 2015 in Napa and Other California Wine Reviewed This is very pretty zin with cherry, berry, black-pepper character. Full to medium body, light tannins and a flavorful finish. Lots of stem, moss and bark with wet earth at the end. Beautiful balance compared to the 2015. Drink now.

Medium-dark to dark purplish ruby color; very attractive, rich, deep, intense, briary, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry fruit aroma with hints of dried herbs and cracked pepper; full body; big, rich, layered, brambly, blackberry jam flavors with a touch of mocha and a full, rich, plush mouthfeel; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Forward, rich fruit makes the wine very appealing to drink and enjoy now in its youth. Very highly recommended.

Rich and supple, balanced by a bright core of acidity and accented by notes of raspberry, crushed stone, herbes de Provence and white pepper.

Rich and supple, balanced by a bright core of acidity and accented by notes of raspberry, crushed stone, herbs de Provence and white pepper.

Named for the way part of the vineyard is planted, the vines trained on a high wire, this is a dense earthy red. (The site is also field planted to Carignane.) Juicy with plenty of acidity on the midpalate, it oozes blackberry, black cherry and white and black pepper, with a lasting hit of texture and freshness.

The 2015 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard is one of the more overt wines in this lineup. Juicy dark cherry, plum, smoke, licorice, tobacco and menthol infuse the Highwire. There is plenty of Russian River exuberance in this deep, fleshy Zinfandel.

Bright acids and expressive savory notes are two of the main signatures in the 2015 Zinfandel Hartford Vineyard. Incisive and powerful, the 2015 is loaded with personality. It also needs at least a few years to come into its own. Anise, sweet red stone fruit and lifted floral notes abound.