This is a big, fleshy wine, with evident tannins and acidity that give it bite and structure. The flavors are ripe and pure, suggesting red and black cherry pie filling, with lots of dusty spice and a hint of sweet oak. It will be very nice now and over the next 4-5 years. And with more than 22,000 cases produced, it should be relatively easy to find.

The 2009 Barbara's Pinot is another of the big, super-ripe wines endowed with considerable fatness in its fruit. Hints of leather and spices wrap around the finish. The Pinot Noir Barbara's was fermented in open-top French oak barrels, and aged for ten months in oak prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Medium ruby color, deep ripe cherry and earthy aromas; rich, ripe, deep, earthy flavors with spicy stewed cherry notes; good structure and balance; long finish. Ripe and full Pinot with really nice flavors and the structure to carry it for a few years at least.

Deep, bright red. Intense, mineral-dominated aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry and fresh rose, with a suave incense quality gaining power with air. Firm red berry and cherry skin flavors spread across the palate and pick up baking spice and white pepper notes on the back end. Impressively pure and focused pinot, finishing with excellent lift and lingering florality.

Ironically, already out of stock because of the movie Sideways that never made it up to the spectacular Santa Maria Bench. Look for notes of dill and strawberry mixed with black cherry and rhubarb textures preview bits of cinnamon game and black fruit flavours. Stylish, intense pinot.

The only Syrah I was able to taste from this estate was the 2015 Syrah Tepusquet. It's a smoky, meaty, barbecue-scented beauty that has lots of pepper and dark fruits, medium to full body, a ripe, sexy texture, and a great finish. It has ample character and will keep for 5-6 years.

One of the South Coast's finest wineries. Starts with green apple, peach, buttercup and spice aromas. Amazingly laser-like Great acidity. The finish lasts for a full minute.

The 1999 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard is one of the best they have made. The vintage's good acidity buttresses the copious quantities of honeyed orange/pineapple fruit infused with citrus oils and gentle, toasty oak. It is rich, full bodied, undeniably attractive Chardonnay fruit bomb that should drink well for 2-3 years.

Another blockbuster from this Santa Barbara County winery. Rich, fruity and complex, with all the bells and whistles you could ask for. Shows why Santa Barbara has emerged as perhaps the leading Chardonnay region in California.

Young and tight, with spicy citrus, tangerine, pear and pineapple notes that spread out on the finish, showing elegance and finesse.

Brilliant deep straw. Medium-bodied. High extract, moderate oak. Bananas, melon, vanilla. Very aromatic, with a big, ripe, buttery character on the palate. Has just enough acidity to keep it balanced; right through the finish.

The top Chardonnay in Cambria's portfolio is the Chardonnay Reserve, a blend of the best barrels in the cellar. Lush, ripe tropical fruit aromas and flavors are well-displayed in the 1994, as well as more high quality, toasty new oak, and a deeper, more powerful and concentrated feel on the palate. Moreover, this wine provides a hefty alcoholic kick. This is a big, boldly-styled Chardonnay to drink over the next 1-2 years.

A bold, ripe and harmonious California Chardonnay with rich, spicy pear, honey and butterscotch nuances. Picks up a smoky, somewhat leesy note and leaves a wonderful aftertaste.

Smoky notes of oak are immediately evident here with delicious fruit to balance.

A forward bouquet features a rich buttered popcorn. In the mouth it is full-bodied with moderate acidity in a viscous style. Finishes with a gorgeous cloak of layered brown spices.

Ripe and complex, with pretty fruit flavors that are framed by toasty, buttery oak. Intense and lively, yet elegant and refined. Delicious now through 1997.

Ripe and complex, with pretty fruit flavors that are framed by toasty, buttery oak. Intense and lively, yet elegant and refined.

Ripe, tropical nose--'oozing with fruit.' Displays rich, rounded citrus and tropical flavors plus a touch of creaminess.

Well-structured, with a smoky richness to the mineral-infused apple and pear tart flavors. The fresh, spicy finish lingers with a creamy texture.

Santa Barbara Dreamin'…Part Two Cambria's 2016 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard is a very pretty Santa Maria Chardonnay. Beautifully perfumed, subtle and nuanced, the 2016 has a lot going on. A touch of new French oak frames the orchard fruit and floral flavors nicely. The 2016 is a bit slender, but very pretty just the same.

Medium straw color; ripe apple, a touch of peach skin. Light citrus, and creaminess in the aroma; medium bodied, nicely layered on the palate; dry, medium acidity, fine balance; ripe fruit flavors, light hit of creaminess; medium finish. This Chardonnay does an excellent job in representing the prime, cooler regions for this grape in the Central Coast.

A big step up in price over the straight Katherine's Vineyard, the 2015 Chardonnay Signature Collection Katherine's Vineyard saw a longer time in barrel, spending 14 months in 5% new oak. It's similarly colored and has a more classic bouquet of orchard fruits, toasty oak, white flowers, and caramelized citrus. It's clean, medium-bodied, impressively balanced, and a rock-solid Chardonnay.

The 2015 Chardonnay Bench Break offers up notes of ripe apricots, honeydew melon and grapefruit with touches of brioche and toasted almonds. Medium-bodied, it has a pleasantly creamy texture with tons of stone fruit and citrus flavors, finishing long. Awesome value! And with a production level of 77,500 cases, there’s plenty of this amazing value wine to go around.

Extremely pleasant aromas of caramel-laced honeydew cream and light cashew show on the nose of this bottling that’s focused on a specific block of this historic vineyard. The palate zings with freshness and acidity right out of the gates, and then allows fatter notes of melted butter, orange peels, mandarin slices and clotted cream to consume the midpalate.

Part of a series that raises money for women working for justice in the world, this bottling that honors Dr. Victoria Kisyombe of Tanzania shows delicate lemon, lime zest, light marcona almond, popcorn and sandalwood nose on the complex nose. It is fresh and tightly wound on the palate, where citrus, chilled nectarine and a touch of salt cruise across strong acidity and a pithy texture.