This deep, generously fruited look at the grape achieves an extra measure of richness when compared to the field, and its involving interplay of ripe figs, fresh herbs and toasty oak spice is spot on in terms of varietal expression. Both weighty and very well-balanced, it is a wine of evident range and substance, and it will make splendid drinking with entrees that range from meaty, full-flavored white-fleshed fishes to savory herbed chicken.

...the light green/gold-colored 1999 Stature Chardonnay Santa Maria...is a full-throttle, Santa Barbara-styled Chardonnay offering notes of honeyed pineapple, guava, and other exotic fruits. Full-bodied, layered, opulent, and viscous, with tremendous underlying acidity, this sexy, flamboyant effort...These are both sexy, exotic Chardonnays

Maintains a sense of elegance and finesse, even with its rich, creamy core of earth, pear, fig, citrus, hazelnut and nectarine flavors. Long and complex on the finish.

...loaded with tropical fruit. With huge quantities of glycerin, it cuts a broad mouthfeel, and has a textured, beautifully pure mid-palate and finish.

Camelot epitomizes the best of regional character. Lovely chardonnay fruit with a touch of the tropical, characteristic of its Central Coast provenance; beautiful balance and unusual length on the palate for a wine so young.

This dark yellow colored Chardonnay is impressive. It opens with a fragrant lemon and oak bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and smooth with no edges at all. The flavor profile is a tasty mild oak influenced apple and pear blend with notes of butter. I also detected a hint of ginger towards the end. The finish is dry and fades away nicely. I would drink this Chard on its own and it certainly would not last long. Enjoy with friends that like this style of Chard!

The 2016 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Santa Maria Valley comes from a handful of vineyards and, like the Grand Reserve, saw full malolactic fermentation and aging all in French oak barrels, 40% being new. Sautéed orchard fruits, buttered citrus, spice, and a subtle minerality all emerge from this richer, fresh, elegant Chardonnay. With good acidity, excellent purity of fruit, and outstanding length, it’s a classy Chardonnay to drink over the coming 2-4 years.

The 2016 Chardonnay Seco Highlands is the most exotic and perfumed of the Kendall-Jackson Chardonnays. Then again, that is the signature of the Rued Clone that plays an important role in the blend. Exotic stone fruit and floral notes all mesh together in this distinctive, nuanced Chardonnay. Unctuous on the palate, with terrific depth, the 2016 has a ton of personality.

Rich and voluptuous, with a savory accent to the powerful flavors of apple pastry, dried apricot and ripe pear. Quite buttery, featuring a finish loaded with spicy details.

The 2016 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands comes from the Santa Maria Valley and was barrel fermented and aged in 41% new French oak, with plenty lees stirring. Its medium gold color is followed by a classic California Chardonnay nose of baked apples, honeysuckle, and musky melon and pineapple. It’s nicely balanced, has vibrant acidity, and a clean, length style that will keep for 2-3 years.

Kendall-Jackson's 2015 Chardonnay Stature is plush, tropical and opulent, with quite a bit of textural depth and intensity. A wine of volume and breadth, the 2015 hits all the right notes. Floral overtones add nuance to the yellow orchard and lightly tropical flavors.

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The 2014 Stature is the most complete Chardonnay in this range. Apricot jam, butter, spice and sweet French oak fill out the wine's ample frame. All the elements meld together effortlessly. Overt and voluptuous, the Stature is likely to be most appreciated by readers who enjoy racy, textured Chardonnays.

Attractive tropical fruit and freshly buttered bread on the nose of this full-bodied Californian Chardonnay. The palate of this rich white wine opens up with green apple and melon. This big Californian Chardonnay has a golden-yellow tint in the glass. Aromas of ripe orchard fruit and toasty oak. Generous, layered and delicious! Pair this with roast turkey or chicken. Highly recommended.

Whatever the Jackson family does in Santa Maria works quite well, including this wine. The wondrous nose shows chives, exotic pears, mandarin pith, sesame seeds, a touch of smoke and chalky grip. On the palate, flavors recall fried green apple peels, lemon juice, quince, star fruit and lemon pith.

Attractive tropical fruit and freshly buttered bread on the nose of this full-bodied Californian Chardonnay. The palate of this rich white wine opens up with green apple and melon. Generous, layered and delicious! Pair this with roast turkey or chicken. Highly recommended.

The exotic 2013 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Arroyo Seco sees 100% French oak, of which 50% is new, and comes from Clone 809. One could swear there was some Viognier cofermented with this Chardonnay. While tasting this wine, we were joking that it is a pornographic style of Chardonnay, because of its exotic, ostentatious aromatics of honeysuckle, spring flowers, pineapple, orange marmalade and lychee. It’s rich, ripe, medium to full-bodied and probably a love-it or leave-it style. But I love it. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.

Butterscotch and baked bread on the nose of this inviting, robust Californian Chardonnay. The palate of this rich white wine opens up with green apple and melon. Full-bodied, generous and delicious! Pair this with roast chicken.

From a cooler climate and gravelly soils, the 2012 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands comes from 40-year-old, ungrafted vines, is 100% barrel-fermented and aged eight months in 52% new French oak. Abundant aromas of tropical fruits, an opulent, exotic personality, huge richness, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, good acidity and surprising length suggest a Chardonnay that could easily sell at twice the price. There are just over 4,300 cases of this wine. It should drink well for 4-5 years.

A very rich Chardonnay that's creamy and smooth in the mouth. A touch of oak and lees gives weight and density to the lime and peach fruit, while brisk acidity contributes to brightness. A great price for wine of this distinction.

Butterscotch and baked bread on the nose of this inviting, robust white. The palate opens up with green apple and melon. Full-bodied, generous and delicious!

Very fine Chardonnay, marked by brisk, racy acidity and a steely tang to the lemon, lime, white peach and honeysuckle flavors. Very complex and lively, an alluring wine that will take a few years in the bottle.

A stunning effort is the more limited production 2009 Chardonnay Jackson Hills from Santa Barbara. From hillside Chardonnay vineyards, this beauty offers plenty of tropical fruit, honeysuckle, peach and pineapple notes along with a medium to full-bodied, elegant yet authoritative personality. Kendall-Jackson enjoys a well-deserved reputation for over-delivering quality vis à vis price for its wines.

A beautiful, racy Chardonnay, with a streamlined structure that could almost be a fine, barrel-aged Sauvignon Blanc. It's marked by mouthwatering acidity, with savory lemongrass, hay, vanilla and white pepper flavors. First class and elegant as a cocktail sipper.