Much of the chardonnay fruit that grows on the Cambria estate in the Santa Maria Valley dates back to the 1970s and, since 2009, has been cultivated sustainably. This brilliant wine is teeming with green apple and ripe tropical flavors, like pineapple. Generous acidity and a lovely spicy thread add character. Fresh fish off the grill or a bevy of aperitif cheeses will make a perfect match. Another standout chardonnay by longtime winemaker Denise Shurtleff.

Notes of apple, melon and toasty oak. It has bright acidity and good balance. At this price point, it will please chardonnay-lovers on a budget, and even appeal to less devoted chardonnay drinkers.

This wine comes from one of California’s truly unique vineyards on the Santa Maria bench in Santa Barbara County. Each of 15 different blocks of Chardonnay are farmed individually, allowing nuances of fruit to emerge. Lots are blended to create this inviting wine featuring citrus, white peach and apple with notes of vanilla and spicy oak.

Both the vineyard management and winemaking have become more refined over the years, so much so that this has become the quintessential go-to Santa Barbara County chardonnay in stores and on wine lists all over the country. And this vintage is particularly a great representative. On the seductive nose, aromas of citrus, white peach, apple and apple pie spice; it's fresh and breezy but seemingly promises complexity, too. The flavors are of ripe yellow apple, citrus (particularly Meyer lemon), mango and kiwi with butterscotch, clove and cardamom in a supporting role. Mostly aged in French oak (14 percent new), it has just enough wood to add an intriguing spice element that envelopes and embraces the fruit flavors. Lush and creamy finish, too.

A bright chardonnay with zesty citrus notes. White peach and pineapple are in the mix. Its layered flavors makes it appealing. A steal for the price.

Very reasonably priced, this Santa Barbara County chardonnay has simple lemon/lime aromas with peach and apple flavors.

Reasonably priced, this elegant chardonnay sports tropical fruit notes with a citrus-like nose and broad, luscious flavors.

Bench Break Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Calif.: toasty oak aroma, flavors of ripe pineapples and peaches, full-bodied and lush.

2011 Cambria Estate Winery Chardonnay, Katherine's Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley: hint of oak, crisp and fruity, with flavors of ripe pineapples and lemons.

We enjoyed this reasonably priced chardonnay for its juicy pineapple and peach flavors. It's a nice match to summer fare, such as seafood.

This wine comes from one of California’s truly unique vineyards on the Santa Maria bench in Santa Barbara County. Each of 34 different blocks of Chardonnay are farmed individually allowing nuances of fruit to emerge. Wines are blended to create this complex and tempting bottling offering aromas and flavors of tropical fruits, spicy oak, creamy vanilla and tangy citrus/mineral on the finish.

Quite striking in the glass, this chard looks like liquid sunlight, if there could be such a thing. It comes on strong with aromatics of mango, peach, pineapple and citrus, fine-tuned with vanilla and brown baking spices. Perfectly true to form for this vineyard, the mango and pineapple flavors form first, then orange marmalade (muscat-like?), citrus, and vanilla custard/creme brulee join in the mix. All the flavors are tempered by the appropriate acidity, and the very complete and rich finish is buffered by integrated barrel spices and an interesting minerality.

Ripe yellow fruit aromas and tastes, hinting at minerals and vanilla bean, with tangy acidity at the close.

Exotic mango and citrus aromas and peach, spice flavors.

Bright gold. Ripe pear and pineapple aromas are complicated by notes of beeswax and toasted grain. Smooth and fleshy, with broad tropical fruit flavors and a touch of bitter citrus pith. Finishes on a slightly warm note, with lingering spiciness and a touch of anise.

The 2008 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard shows good varietal character and fine balance with well-articulated fruit and an attractive, clean finish. Through a bit oaky, this is otherwise a strong effort, particularly considering the production of 24,000 cases. The wine was fermented in Oak barrels (25% new) and aged on its lees with bâtonnage for seven months.

A small-production gem that zings with sweet melon, white peach and ripe pear. The vines may be on the bench, but the fruit plays in the majors.

Pineapple, tropical fruit, citrus and nutmeg come through clearly and distinctly on the nose. Flavors follow aromas with more pineapple, orange marmalade, ginger, nutmeg, talcum powder and slate. With time in the bottle, this chard has become textured on midpalate as well as buttery and creamy. In a good place now, it's deliciously rich without any aggressive alcohol backbeat. Though quite big and full-bodied, its exquisite balance makes it almost elegant. The slow fade on the finish echoes over and over.

A toasty chardonnay with a lush texture. Notes of pear, melon, toffee, caramel and spice.

The Cambria 2007 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay is made from 35-year-old vines located in one of the coolest areas of the Valley. Winemaker Denise Shurtleff describes the hallmark of this wine as being bright fruit flavors, enhanced by lemon cream pie and limestone undertones. The roots are deep here and the soil is mineral-rich, says Barbara Banke, Cambria Winery proprietor. We planted this vineyard in 1986 and named it after our daughter Katie. At 15 miles inland, it's a straight shot from the ocean, with lots of cooling morning fog.

The 2007 Chard is powerful and elegant, and delicate, at the same time. It's feminine in its delicacy - with well-hewn edges. The nose is a perfume of apples, peaches, lime, pineapple and vanilla. Flavors sweep the palate - you get the silky texture, the vibrant acidity and the fruit that trumpets more apples, pears and citrus. The finish is strong and lasting. Pour it with shellfish, seafood, chicken, veal and pork. As an aperitif? Perfect.

The 2007 Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay, a citrusy wine with green apple and some oak.

This issue boasts a bevy of top rated Chardonnays from some of California's premier producers. The rounded and appley Cambria Katherine's Vineyard 2007.