The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc is a pretty, well-articulated wine that shows the greener, grassier side of Sauvignon. Bright citrus, grapefruit, lime, mint and white flowers emerge from the glass in this focused, energetic Sauvignon. The 2010 was mostly aged in steel, although a small percentage of the wine was aged in foudres. This is a terrific effort from Matanzas Creek. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014.

The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc possesses lovely melon and tropical fruit notes in its intense as well as delicate, fragrant, medium-bodied personality. It admirably showcases the wonderful aromatics that all varietals seem to possess in the 2009 vintage. Composed of nearly all Sauvignon and a tiny dollop of Semillon, 93% was tank-fermented and 7% was barrel-fermented. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years. Quality is slowly rising at Matanzas Creek since it was acquired by Jess Jackson a number of years ago. He has done an excellent job bringing in winemaker Marcia Monahan and returning this estate to its glory days of the early nineties.

Pale, bright straw. Precise, high-pitched aromas of citrus peel, quinine, flowers and lemongrass. Juicy, fine-grained and youthfully taut, with racy acidity contributing to the minerally impression of this pungent wine. Not at all a fleshy style but in no way hard-edged. Finishes tight but persistent, with continuing floral and citrus qualities. Most of this wine was raised in stainless steel, the rest in one- and two-year-old barrels.

Light straw. Intensely perfumed nose offers energetic citrus, floral and spice scents underscored by zesty minerality. Brisk, focused grapefruit and lime flavors carry through a pleasingly bitter finish. One of the better examples of this bottling I've drunk in recent years.

2005 SAUVIGNON BLANC SONOMA The Sauvignon Blanc (12,000 cases aged six months sur-lie with some barrel fermented) is a crisp, elegant effort revealing notes of honeyed grapefruits, figs, and crushed rocks. It is a pretty, medium-bodied, fresh, food-friendly white to enjoy over the next year.

Possesses pleasant lemon zest, honey, fig, melon, and stone fruit notes.

Intriguing nose melds grapefruit, lemon drop, fresh herbs and minerals, plus hints of smoke and fig. Light and tangy; bone-dry but supple, with the lemony quality dominating. Finishes with very good persistence and varietal cut.

Offers up crisp, honeysuckle, fig, and melon aromas, lively acidity, medium body, and an attractive finish. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years.

The 2014 Chardonnay Sonoma is soft and round with notes of tangerine, citrus blossom, and some citrus oil in a pretty, medium-bodied, cleanly made style that keeps the oak at a minimum. Drink over the next 2-4 years.

The 2014 Chardonnay Bennett Valley displays more minerality, touches of white peach and pineapple, slightly more ripeness, and bigger, more dramatic fruit on the attack and mid-palate. Drink over the next 2-4 years.

The 2013 Chardonnay, which comes from the Matanzas Creek vineyards as well as Alexander Valley Vineyards, is made largely from the old Wente clone of Chardonnay, but there is some other clonal material included as well. It shows nice, soil undertones, roasted pineapple, white flowers and peach in a medium to full-bodied, excellent style. It’s delicious and was aged in barrel 10 months prior to bottling.

A much smaller cuvée, the 2013 Chardonnay Bennett Valley shows more minerality, a surprisingly evolved light-gold color, but fresh lively notes of pear, white peach and honeysuckle in a nicely concentrated, reasonably intense style. Drink it over the next several years.

Butter, pastry, dried pear and almond notes all flesh out in the 2012 Chardonnay Sonoma County. This textured, inviting Chardonnay will drink well for at least another few years.

Bright yellow-gold. Powerful poached pear and candied ginger aromas and flavors, with a hint of anise adding complexity. Broad and supple on entry, then more tangy and energetic in the middle, offering fresh orchard fruit flavors and a hint of bitter orange pith. Quite lively for its size, finishing smooth, spicy and long. There's 30% new oak here but I barely notice it.

Rich and spicy, with exotic honeydew melon, fig, pumpkin and baked apple notes, this is well done in a full-blown style, maintaining focus and presence on the finish.

Light, bright yellow. Poached pear, vanilla and honey on the nose and palate, with notes of orange zest and ginger adding vivacity. Hefty but dry and nervy as well. Juicy and focused on the finish, which strongly repeats the honey and vanilla notes. This wine has the depth to handle richer foods and the tang to work with lighter fare.

The 2011 Chardonnay Sonoma County is another gorgeous wine for the money. Dried pears, lemon oil, flowers, butter, almonds and sweet spices inform this beautifully balanced, harmonious wine. All the elements are in the right place. This hugely delicious, entry-level Chardonnay should drink nicely for at least the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2015.

The 2010 Chardonnay Sonoma County is a deep, expressive wine laced with apricot, pears, flowers and spices. The Chardonnay is fermented in barrels (36% new), yet the wine shows considerable freshness, vivacity and energy. Clean, saline notes round out the mineral-drenched finish. This is a fabulous effort for a wine with a production of 5,400 cases. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.

The 2010 Chardonnay Bennett Valley shows the richness and weight of the Wente clone that makes up the majority of the blend. Dried apricots, flowers, spices and tangerine wrap around the palate in this rich, textured Chardonnay. A powerful, authoritative finish rounds things out in style. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.

Greenish yellow. Focused, spicy aromas of honeysuckle, lemongrass, green almond and sweet butter. Nicely balanced on the palate, offering a supple, silky texture and flavors of ripe orchard and citrus fruits. Becomes spicier with air and finishes with good breadth and clarity. I like the blend of richness and energy here.

Top notes of citrus and a hint of fresh blossoms combine with a touch of lees and well-defined, young, green-apple fruit in this nicely filled and well-focused working, and, despite being firm and just a touch of piquant on the palate, the wine shows signs of polish as well and promises to repay patience. Its crispness will hold it in good stead with fattier fish dishes now, but it should deepen over the next several years.

Fresh tropical fruit, peach and apricot flavors star in this flashy young wine. Oak also plays a prominent role, giving buttered toast and caramel notes. And the texture is creamy and smooth. The overall impression is very rich and powerful...

Aromas of honeysuckle, orange rind, and lemon zest are followed by a medium to full-bodied, fruit-driven white displaying a subtle touch of oak. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.

The very good 17,500-case 2002 Chardonnay displays elegant notes of lemon zest, orange marmalade, subtle wood, and a hint of butter in its attractive, well-delineated style. It should drink well for 2-3 years.

Good red-ruby. Sweet, musky aromas of black- and red currant and coffee. Very sweet, slightly tutti-frutti currant and chocolate flavors. A nicely aromatic midweight, with rather suave texture and moderate flesh.