Plump, ripe sweet citrus and Gala apple aromas find full support from creamy oak in a nose that is generous and inviting but not ever bombastic or over the top. The wine is full in body, supple in texture and nicely balanced, and its flavors of Gala apple, Meyer lemon and vanilla creme brulee are very much in the style that is so often found in Sonoma County Chardonnays. A bit of bottle age will deepen it further.

Nearly as awesome is the 2007 Chardonnay Broken Road and 2007 Chardonnay Red Point, both lighter versions of the Upper Barn. Stonestreet is becoming an excellent source for small lots of Chardonnay, although the basic Alexander Valley cuvee is very plentiful (6,500 cases). The single vineyard offerings (between 120 and 350 cases produced of each) are impressive efforts that are more similar than dissimilar since they all come from single vineyard lots, are aged in 50% new French oak (except for the Gravel Bench), and spend 11 months on their lees before bottling.

The 2006 Chardonnay Broken Road, which comes from an even higher elevation of around 1,800 feet, and is treated the same way, offers more minerality, broad orange blossom, nectarine, and guava notes, some hints of hazelnut and brioche, but very full-bodied richness, and slightly more acidity and definition than the Red Point.

From a 1,000-foot elevation, the relatively cool-site 2006 Chardonnay Red Point (which spent 11 months on its lees and went through 100% barrel and malolactic fermentations) exhibits medium to full body and terrific honey and citrus-like fruit as well as orange blossoms. The wine is ripe, pure, and well-delineated.

Green-gold. Intense citrus and herb aromas, with a bright mineral accent. Pleasingly bitter flavors of quinine and lime zest show very good cut and a long, tangy finish. The energy here is really impressive.

Medium gold. Exotic, spicy bouquet shows suave blood orange, peach, tarragon and smoked meat tones. Plush, juicy and deep, with ripe tangerine and candied peach flavors, gentle acidity and a sexy, buttery quality on the back. For all its lushness, this boasts excellent energy and clarity and finishes with a subtle mineral note. This evolved nicely in the glass and should be excellent with lighter poultry dishes.

Subtle nose hints at pineapple. Fat, full and sweet, with distinctly exotic flavors of pineapple, mango and honey. Much rounder than the Block 26 wine, and smoother on the lingering finish. Classic California chardonnay.

Subtly aromatic nose of peach and citrus fruits. Supple and sweet on entry, with mirabelle and peach flavors, then quite firm and gripping on the back half, with notes of grapefruit skin and minerals. A dense, very dry wine with good palate precision and no shortage of stuffing.

More interesting is the 2001 Chardonnay Upper Barn, which boasts glorious notes of honeysuckle, ripe pear, pineapple, and peach-like fruit as well as good underlying acidity in a medium to full bodied, intense, luscious format. It will drink well for 3-4 years.

Limpid yellow-gold. Musky pear skin, lemon pith and succulent herb aromas are lifted by a gingery nuance. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering pear nectar and Meyer lemon flavors that are given spine by a core of dusty minerality. Smoothly plays weight off energy and finishes long and nervy, displaying resonating citrus fruit character.

Supple, expressive, creamy and generous, with pear, toast and peppery caramel flavors, finishing with harmony and length. Drink now through 2022.

Supple, expressive, creamy and generous, with pear, toast and peppery caramel flavors, finishing with harmony and length.

The 2017s From Sonoma Including just 10% whole clusters and brought up in 20% new barrels, the 2017 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley reveals a ruby color as well as a spice-laced bouquet of red currants, dried herbs, and some loamy soil notes. This medium-bodied, supple, and lightly textured effort gains depth and richness with time in the glass.

The 2017s From Sonoma The 2017 Pinot Noir Zena Crown Vineyard comes from the cooler Eola-Amity AVA and was fermented with 27% stems. It's a medium ruby-colored Pinot Noir that offers a touch of marine character in its smoked cherries, leafy herbs, and spring flower aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, supple, and polished, with fine tannins, it's a charming, balanced effort to drink over the coming 7-8 years.

Vibrant and zesty, with floral black raspberry, orange zest and clove flavors that saunter on a long, snappy finish.

Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton has a deep, broody, black-fruited nose with ripe blackcurrants and black cherries with hints of crushed blueberries, licorice and grated cinnamon. The medium-bodied palate is flavored of blackberry and boysenberry preserves with nuances of pie spice and touches of black soil with a lovely frame of firm, structuring tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long.

Medium-light to medium ruby; fragrant, earthy, red cherry and raspberry fruit aroma with hints of forest floor and baking spices; medium to medium-full body; rich, spicy, red fruit flavors with good depth and balance, and some suppleness in the mouthfeel; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Enjoyable now, though deserving a few more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.

Exploring The Best New Releases from Sonoma and Beyond The 2016 Pinot Noir Perry Ranch Vineyard (formerly Keefer Ranch) is soft, fruity and accessible, with lovely forward fruit and lovely balance. Sweet red berry fruit, hard candy, floral overtones and soft contours add to the wine's considerable immediacy. This is one of the riper, racier wines in the Siduri range.

Santa Cruz Mountains and the Santa Lucia Highlands The 2016 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills comes from a mix of vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills and is a terrific value as well as a great buy for readers looking to understand the region. A ripe, sexy wine that's loaded with notions of ripe cherries, strawberries, dried herbs, and underbrush, it’s big, rich, and mouthfilling, yet also balanced and elegant. It will easily keep for 5-6 years.

Santa Cruz Mountains and the Santa Lucia Highlands The entry-level Santa Lucia Highlands cuvée is the 2016 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands, a mix of all the single vineyards, fermented with 15% stems. Black raspberries, blueberries, crushed flowers, and violet notes all emerge from this rich, textured, and fruit-forward effort. It's a powerful, textured, and ready to go. Drink it over the coming 5-6 years.

I have don’t have a long history with this Oregon pinot that has been made for over two decades, but this is a quality drop of wine. It’s a terrific vintage and using a diverse mix of vineyards has woven a delicious complexity into this humble pinot. This red/black fruit jumps from the glass with a silky svelteness we don’t see in California. Flowers, minerals, forest floor and deliciously sour cherry fruit entice your palate with every sip. The finish is equally impressive with intense, long-lasting flavours that linger forever.

Oregon: Pinot Still King Even In Hot 2015 and 2014 Vintages This young pinot noir shows aromas of raspberries and violets. Medium to full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Some crushed stone and concrete undertones. Drink now. Screw cap.

Minty sage and an intensely tart sense of citrus and rhubarb shine in this balanced, coastal-influenced red, which retains plenty of tannic power against its fresh bubbly acidity.