Kendall-Jackson deserves its reputation as one of California's finest, and their 1995 Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay is a prime example of that winery's expertise. Filled with complex fruit flavors, nicely integrated with a touch of oak barrel aging, this white is ideal with holiday food fare or with other special meals that include roast chicken, seafood, or pastas prepared with a cream or butter-based sauce.

The least expensive of Kendall-Jackson's reserve bottlings, this very likeable wine presents plenty of up-front fruitiness trimmed with smoothing sweetness and a subtle touch of rich oak. Its note of sweetness is rather more persistent at the finish than are its impressions of fruit, and, while sure to be popular, the wine ultimately says less about Chardonnay that it does about pleasantly gulpable white wine.

With more of a tropical, floral air than one might expect in Chardonnay, this attractive, open and easygoing wine is filled out by hints of toasty oak. Fairly lengthy at the finish and a bit unusual here as well for the sweet nectarine notes with which it concludes, the wine wins points for pleasure even if not for varietal precision.

Appealing fruit, light wood and youthful freshness highlight this chardonnay which is a good example of the contemporary California style.

Spicy oak, cinnamon and nuts on the nose. Supple, spicy, and slightly candied on the palate, with plenty of sweet oak. Got richer and softer with aeration.

Kendall-Jackson's finest Chardonnay yet, a wine that speaks clearly to the varitetal's fruit-bowl complexity - some lemon here, some apple there, a little pear tucked underneath. Restrained use of oak gives it just a kiss of vanilla and nuts. Most welcome is the spicy crispness of the finish, helping make it a refreshing dinner companion. You aren't likely to find a more solid representative of the vintage.

Shows that elegance and understatement can be just as impressive as bold flavors. Has a floral aroma and lovely tropical fruit flavors.

Sweet, slightly peachy fruit tones are accented by toasty, sweet oak scents in the fairly accessible and appealing aromas. Juicy, appley fruit and quiet oak.

Always a tasty California Chard.

Sweet floral and citrus aromas pick up a hint of vanilla on the palate. Medium-bodied and easy going with good balance and ample acidity.

Very fruity.

Ripe, quaffable.

Sweet in oak and pear-like in its fruit with clear tropical overtones. Good value under $10.

Nicely ripened appley fruit. Oak adds a measure of richness to this youthful, medium-full-bodied effort.

Spicy oak. Relatively rounded on the palate. Easy-to-taste.

This fresh, lively wine offers appealing, lemony apple aromas and flavors.

Light tropical fruit aromas, and a generous, slightly sweet entry. The full spicy palate leads to a warm finish. The classic Kendall-Jackson blend.

Immense fruitiness.

Worth Sampling.

Best value.

Soft and understated in the nose with subtle suggestions of creamy oak and apples, this rounded, medium-bodied offering delivers clean, uncomplicated fruit flavors.

Recommended.

Big and rich with distinct varietal character.

Best value.