Relatively ripe and relatively oaky, much in the in-vogue style, this nicely fruited wine features apples and lemon blossoms amidst creamy and toasty elements. Initially frontal flavors of fresh fruit give way a bit in the latter palate to green apple acidity making this a good choice for grilled seafoods like Dover Sole.

Here is a pleasant if somewhat smaller wine whose light-medium intensity, green apple, quietly leesy and oak-enriched aromas are all within the pleasing norms for Chardonnay, but which, in both nose and in flavors, comes up just a tad short on overall stuffing to earn full commendation. Nonetheless, this moderately well-stuffed bottling stands out at the top of the list of wines not receiving star-ratings.

Relatively ripe and relatively oaky, much in the in-vogue style, this nicely fruited wine features apples and lemon blossoms amidst creamy and toasty elements. Initially frontal flavors of fresh fruit give way a bit in the latter palate to green apple acidity making this a good choice for grilled seafoods like Dover Sole.

Fig and apricot nuances on the palate and in the nose carry right through the finish. Medium-body, moderate acidity.

One of fifty best wines of the year. One of three Chardonnays of the year.

This Chardonnay is made from grapes purchased from the Dennison Vineyard, which is certified organic by Calfornia. No herbicided or pesticides are used during cultivation. The vineyard is in the warmer southern end of the valley, where the wines are more full-bodied than in the north. This wine was barrel-fermented and bottled in August 1994. It is an attractive wine, halfway between the leaner style and a full-bore Sonoma or Napa Chardonnay.

Earthy pear and apple notes.

Light tropical-fruit aroma with toasty oak notes; well-integrated flavors, fruit notes, balancing acidity; nice length. Try with rosemary chicken, grilled fennel.

Graham cracker scents and perfumy oak combine with tropical fruit notes to give this wine rich and appealing aromas. A medium-full bodied, roundish impression on entry leads to a creamy palatal feel rich in ripe apple, lemon and oak flavors.

Excellent wine. Top 7 of 50 tasted. Toasty aroma atop excellent fruit, juicy taste and lively acid in the finish.

Forward pear-apple nose, the fruit character is surrounded by vanilla and brown spice oakiness. Very crisp palate, and a lean finish.

...the intense, impressively filled Edmeades 2000 Anderson Valley warrants inclusion on your shopping list.

I won’t assert that the Diatom Bar-M Chardonnay 2018, Los Alamos Valley, is the best chardonnay I’ve tasted this year, but even framing the issue in that parameter implies that it’s a pretty damned good chardonnay. Made by Greg Brewer, of Brewer-Clifton — acquired by Jackson Family Wines in 2017 — this Diatom ’18 was fashioned in small stainless steel tanks; malolactic was inhibited. The result is a chardonnay of stunning purity and intensity. The color is pale straw-gold; immediately attractive aromas of pineapple and grapefruit, green apple and cloves are enveloped in a haze of talc, honeysuckle and damp flint. On the palate, this chardonnay — delicate as a seashell but displaying plenty of energy — hovers in exquisite poise between an almost powdery texture and bright, vivid acidity, so the effect is spare, dry and elegant, yet with a back-note of ripe, cushiony stone-fruit flavors; a tide of limestone sweeps in from mid-palate back through a chiseled and well-defined finish. 14.5 percent alcohol. Los Alamos Valley lies between Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County; it is cooler than Santa Ynez and warmer than Santa Maria. Now through 2021 or ’22. Excellent.

Want to know what chardonnay really tastes like without all the bells and whistles? Mr. Brewer apparently persuaded his friends at Cambria Vineyards to sell him some fruit from Katherine's Vineyard. Treating the grape source with utmost respect, the wine sees no oak (all stainless steel) and does not go through a secondary (malolactic) fermentation that might impart a buttery creaminess. The result is a steely, mouthwatering white wine that cries out for food. Lemon, lime, green apple and minerality on the nose, it's very distinct and straightforward. Vibrant and focused in the mouth, it's structured with flavors of citrus and apple as well as a bit of peach and nectarine. Let it warm in the glass and you will experience unexpected levels of complexity and a rounded mouthfeel for such a steely wine. Bring on the raw oysters!

All the Rosés We'll Be Quenching Our Thirst With This Summer Made entirely from Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, Copain's rosé expertly merges complexity and aromatics. You'll detect watermelon rind, citrus blossoms and stone fruits, with a long, lingering finish that encourages opening another bottle.

The wine showed a pale pink color. Cherry, strawberry, cream, raspberry, slate and pithy lemon all arrived on the nose. Cherry, watermelon, raspberry, lemon, slate and hints of peach followed on the palate where the berry and stone fruit showed a lovely marriage as the wine opened up. The wine exhibited great acidity and minerality, along with good structure and length. This wine would be a great aperitif on a warm afternoon and would pair nicely with steamed clams or grilled salmon.

Rosé is breaking out of its stereotypes The Tous Ensemble is a series of approachable, everyday releases from Sonoma County’s Copain Wines. A cooler growing season in Mendocino County to the north allowed the harvest to occur over a period of time, resulting in a diversity of ripeness and flavor development in the 2018 Copain Tous Ensemble Rosé of Pinot Noir. I found a vibrant nose combining floral notes with hints of grapefruit. The crisp, dry mouthfeel delivered flavors of melon and cherry with a spice element on the finish.

Chillin’ With Rosé of Pinot Noir 2018 Copain Tous Ensemble Rosé of Pinot Noir, Mendocino County — pale salmon in the glass with aromas of white flowers and mixed berries. Flavors of mixed dark berries and strawberries have a mineral component and are supported by citrusy acidity. 12.8% abv. $23 This wine is bright, lively and weightless in the mouth with an appealing hint of white flowers that lingers. Five parcels of Pinot Noir in the Copain estate vineyard resulted in nearly 20 lots that were fermented separately in stainless steel. The final blend included only the best lots.

This is an impressive bottling, refreshingly dry. Tasty citrus, watermelon, mineral and a hint of nectarine. Finishes crisp. Well crafted. 4 stars.

22 Rosés to Try This Spring A rosé of Pinot Noir from Mendocino County with cool climate finesse. Friendly and approachable, it has a bright, acidity-forward nature and a nice floral nose. Alpine strawberry, melon, a hint of plum, with a long resounding finish. This is a nice seafood wine if that’s your thing. You could consider making it your thing.

Copain Tous Ensemble Rosé of Pinot Noir 2018 was a joyous wine to drink; if “tous ensemble” in French means “all together”, then gather your friends for plenty of sips! A color of pale salmon in the glass, lively aromas of gently crushed red berries, rose petals, pink grapefruit, spice and minerality were enticing. On the refreshing palate, I noted bright acidity, a hint of tannins and flavors of watermelon, lychee, licorice and ripe cherries. This rosé was blended from five different parcels of Pinot Noir from the Copain estate in Mendocino County.

Delicious Pinot Noir Rose from Jackson Family This is a very elegant and classic style of a Rosé of Pinot Noir with red cherry fruit and a floral aroma. It has 12.8% alcohol and is extremely well balanced. This is a great wine to enjoy with a stylish lunch, brunch, or dinner. It can pair well with exotic salads and other main dishes like pork or chicken.

Pink wines continue to grow in popularity From California, I found several (in order of my preference, but all are recommended) from various appellations... • Mendocino County: Copain Tous Ensemble ($25) intense, earthy.

Wine of the Week - Four stars Elegant and lively, this rosé has a European sensibility. It's buoyed by bright acidity and is layered with fresh red fruit and a hint of mineral. Finishes crisp. Striking.

Allure of dry rosés wasn't always so Among the best we tasted within the last week were 2017s from...Copain (“Tous Ensemble”), WillaKenzie… Winemaker Wells Guthrie made the Copain using the saignée method, and it is simply terrific.