...from the Arroyo Seco region near Monterey, which offers a buttery mouthful of pear, banana, and custard with a touch of spearmint.

Intense aromas of pear, grapefruit, peach and lots of citrus, such as tangerine, lemon and grapefruit. It is fun and refreshing with a note of hazelnut.

Crisp, green apple, citrus, peach skin, pear and buttery lees flavours.

Fresh, fruity white. Crisp green apple, citrus, peach skin, pear and buttery lees flavours.

A feminine chardonnay. Ripe and showy. Notes of butter, baked apple, caramel and toast. Medium complexity.

Aromas and flavors of ripe apricots, peaches, caramel; rich and creamy.

Unusually grassy and green for a west coast Chard, this is zesty on the nose but then the full unctuous mango and passion fruit works show through the palate.

Here are two things to know about Kendall-Jackson's Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay: More than two million cases are made each year, and every single grape that goes into those bottles comes from vineyards owned by Kendall-Jackson. Vineyard ownership means control over viticultural practices, and that's why this wine-despite its vast production-remains so delicious: rich but finely focused, its flavors suggesting ripe mangoes and pears.

Interesting nose of elderflower and baked apples with oak playing its part but not too dominant. The palate is a replica of the nose in many ways with all its parts dovetailing nicely. A touch of sweetness on the finish.

17th Annual Restaurant Wine Poll

Richer nose, broader palate - certain pineapple character.

A medium-bodied white wine such as Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay has citrus notes, ripe apple flavors, and a smooth creamy texture.

Very floral - as though some Muscat? In fact it's the Musque'. (Rued) clone...

Today, finding a bargain-priced, finely oaked chardonnay is a grail for consumers. Kendall-Jackson proved it has a handle on that with its Vintner's Reserve 2004, which squeezed out top spot in a field full of close contenders.

Anyone who follows Wine Access magazine will remember the California chardonnay issue that came out earlier this year and our coverage of winemaker Randy Ullom's pursuit of the perfect clones for his many Kendall-Jackson chardonnay labels. It would appear he has the Vintner's Reserve completely dialed in. Its lively, fresh style sets a new standard for high-quality, affordable California wine, where the fine-tuning of whites has been a slow process.

17th Annual Restaurant Wine Poll

zingy acidity, bright apple and pear flavors

No wine is more responsible for the popularity of California Chardonnay than the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates Vintner's Reserve. When they build the California Wine Hall of Fame, it will be one of the first inductees. The Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates 2004 Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, however is a much more refreshing take on the varietal. It's drier, crisper, spicier, better balanced, lighter in oak, and more clearly pronounced in tropical-fruit, citric and apple flavors than earlier releases. It does the state's Chardonnay vineyards proud.