Less outgoing and not as well-endowed as its counterpart from the Nielson Vineyard, this mildly minerally effort is notably tighter in its fundamental architecture. It is firm and slightly fleshy with nary a hint of extra fat, and its penchant for leanness remains in play right to the end. It is a Chardonnay best saved for service with sundry lighter fish dishes rather than one to pour with richer, more fully flavored fare.

Toffee, cinnamon apples and a hefty swirl of smoke arise on the nose from the winery’s entry-level bottling. The palate shows caramelized pears, nicely bitter lemon rinds and warm, buttered nut toffee note that carries from first sip to the finish.

A touch of vanilla and whiff of sweet blossoms overlie fairly direct and downright juicy fruit in the nose of this straightforward and comparatively frontal offering, yet, even if showing a slight tilt to candied simplicity, the wine is rounded and very easy to like. It lacks the briskness and acidy bite that a foil to seafood requires, but it will make dandy drinking with chicken dishes galore and goes down quite nicely all on its own.

Bright yellow.  Ripe melon and peach aromas are complemented by notes of honey, oak spices and toasted grain.  Lush and broad on the palate, offering warm pit fruit and poached pear flavors and a hint of anise.  Finishes on a slightly warm note, leaving vanilla and honey notes behind.

The 2011 Syrah Saralee's Vineyard comes across as a bit compact in this vintage, as it lacks mid-palate depth. In this vintage, the Saralee's is 100% Syrah (no Viognier) which contributes to its powerful yet clenched personality.

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec from both the Sonoma Valley and Alexander Valley appellations, that works in its big, broad and tannic approach to ripeness and bold flavor. Plum, cranberry and currant provide fruit as black olive plays on the back of the palate.

The red Cotes du Rhone look-alike, the 2007 Cote de Lune Rouge (nearly equal parts of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre) displays copious amounts of strawberries, black cherries, pepper, underbrush, and lavender in its medium-bodied, hedonistic personality. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. This is another impressive group of wines from one of the most consistent winemakers and long-time veterans of the California wine scene, Dick Arrowood. He has always had the Midas touch with white varietals, yet he also continues to impress me with what he can do with red varietals. Moreover, Arrowood is also one of the pioneer Rhone Ranger producers, and his Syrah program has been supplemented with red and white French Cotes du Rhone-like blends called Cote de Lune as well as an outstanding Viognier.

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma was aged in a combination of American and French oak for 24 months. This fruity, dark ruby-colored Cabernet is somewhat monolithic compared to Sonoma’s top Cabernet Sauvignons, but offers a chunky, earthy, flavorful, savory style perfect for uncritical quaffing over the next 4-5 years.

Pale yellow. Musky pit fruits on the nose, brightened by subtle citrus and floral scents. Chewy, faintly bitter orange pith and anise flavors are broad and deep but could use a bit more vibrancy. Finishes with good breadth and a lingering note of bitter peach pit. This needs full-flavored food.

The 2010 Viognier Saralee's Vineyard offers up hints of passion fruit, honey, mint, white flowers, lime and ginger. Aging in French oak with full malolactic fermentation gives the Viognier an additional measure of volume and textural richness that works well here. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016.

This 100% Viognier shows the variety's exotic side, with delicious tropical fruit, citrus, pear, melon, lychee and smoky oak flavors. It's a bit one-dimensional, but appeals for its fresh acids and richness.

The red wines include a raspberry and chocolatey-scented and flavored, medium-bodied 2004 Malbec that is elegant, with fine tannins, medium body, and a nice, finesse-styled personality. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. Chocolate, cocoa, mocha, and some underbrush dominate the 2004 Merlot. This is a nice, fleshy style of Merlot that could use more complexity, but it cheats no one in terms of flesh, texture, and richness. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.

A mineral layering of waxy pear gives this wine a light, crisp complexion, punctuated by subtle, oaky spice and plenty of vibrant lemon. Light on the palate, it’ll serve well for larger gatherings.

Shows a mix of clean, pure, pithy citrus and edgy green apple flavors, with anise and spice accents.

This is a big, rich, oaky Chardonnay. It's a little heavy with all that caramel and buttered toast, but acidity brightens the pineapple and peach flavors, and the finish is clean and spicy.

Minty oaky aromas of baking spices share space on the nose with earthy black plum and berry notes. This feels tannic and resiny while the oaky spicy berry flavors finish with force and drying tannins.

Berry, raw oak and graphite aromas lead to a rock-hard drying palate with fierce tannins. This tastes of oaky salty plum and berry, while a woody finish is overtly tannic and borderline abrasive.

Warm, smoky oak and cherry skin flavors meld with tannin to give a bitter chocolate flavor. Give this a few years for the fruit to come forward.

This fragrant young grenache has sweet berry flavors that end light and brisk. A touch of gaminess in the aroma gives it some extra weight. For grilled burgers.

Surprisingly true to its variety for this price, a lush, juicy, mouth-filling wine with smooth tannins and pretty flavors of berries and cherries. It's just what you think of in Merlot, an easy-drinking wine that's rich and full-bodied, yet silky and accessible.

Surprisingly true to its variety for this price, a lush, juicy, mouth-filling wine with smooth tannins and pretty flavors of berries and cherries. It's just what you think of in Merlot, an easy-drinking wine that's rich and full-bodied, yet silky and accessible.

Soft, almost plush, here's a value-priced Merlot in a generous style, its spicy cherry and red plum flavors lingering with a hint of dusky herbs on the solid finish.

Deep garnet/purple, the 2013 Shiraz has aromas of blackberries, black plums and pepper with loam and smoked bacon notes. The medium to full-bodied palate is a bit hard, muscular and angular on the finish.

Supple and peppery, with a spicy feel to the soft cherry and plum flavors, lingering easily. Drink now through 2013.

Despite some very ripe flavors and ample alcohol, this full-bodied Shiraz isn't particularly lush. The tannins are rich and velvety, but the acids are elevated and tartness dominates the finish. Drink it over the next several years.