More graphite, blueberry and floral notes are found in the 2007 Highland Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Trace Ridge. Coming from a high-elevation vineyard in Knights Valley, this wine if full-bodied, deep, rich, and should age nicely for 15 or more years.

Shows the soft tannins and slight herbal quality of a top Alexander Valley Cab, along with low-yield mountain concentration of red and black currants, mocha and spice. Drink this polished, supple wine though 2012.

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Hawkeye Mountain from the Alexander Valley offers sweet blackberry, loamy soil, new oak, and spice notes. It is more concentrated as well as more tannic than the Trace Ridge Cabernet.

This has become a mostly Sonoma blend (87) with a dash of fruit from Mendocino (8) and Napa (5). Big, boisterous and flavourful, this is full on California cabernet. Somewhat reminiscent of the 1997, with its spicy, earthy blackberry fruit and beautiful mid-palate textures Dense, round and showing well now, this should only get better with time. Chosen from only 1.5 percent of all the KJ cab lots.

The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Highland Estates Napa Mountain comes from their holdings on Mt. Veeder and represents 422 cases of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that is, again, aged in mostly all-new French oak. With an extreme dark ruby/purple color, lots of blueberry, black raspberry, graphite and spring flowers jump from the glass of this deep, full-bodied, sensational wine. It is young, rich and another great example of Mt. Veeder's potential. All of this vineyard is planted at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,850 feet.

From a high mountain vineyard over the Alexander Valley. The wine is clearly built for the cellar. Deep down you'll find a solid core of well-ripened cherry fruit.

Yes, yes, yes! This is what we want from Californian Zinfandel: fleshy dark fruit that's not sweet, just rich. A whiff of pepper, a lick of savoury goodness that in no way dims the vibrant character. There's some restraint and balance in a good way yet this is full-bodied, supple and smooth. Ready to dance with gourmet hamburgers

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.

Best Wines And Spirits Of 2017

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.