Ripe and polished, with creamy pear and hints of apple and spice, turning to citrus and spicy, anise-tinged oak.

A tight band of ripe pear, citrus and pineapple leads to a spicy, cedary oak aftertaste.

…it shows off well-integrated cherry and raspberry fruit, oak and tannins in a very drinkable, likeable package. It would be an excellent complement to grilled or roasted vegetables hearty seafood dishes like caramelized scallops.

Bright berry flavors with medium tannins and wonderful tangy acidity.

The Cambria has enough vanilla and toastinesss to suit American tastes, as well as beautiful apple and citrus fruit flavors.

A bit more forward with its lettuce leaf and sorrel varietal aromas then it is with fruit, the wine rests on a bit of sweetness in the mouth to full out its flavors. With enough acid to balance and a clean, if slightly sugary finish, this tasty wine will make a fine partner to chicken dishes with a bit of sweetness in their makeup, and also to may Chinese preparations of chicken and pork.

Richer than the regular bottling, a monster of a wine, with fig, apple, pear and tropical fruit aromas and flavors. Even novices will know this is an "important" white wine.

Another blockbuster from this Santa Barbara County winery. Rich, fruity and complex, with all the bells and whistles you could ask for. Shows why Santa Barbara has emerged as perhaps the leading Chardonnay region in California.

Deep, saturated blackish-ruby hue. Intense chocolate, herb and mineral aromas show judicious oak usage. A lush entry leads to a thick, full-bodied mouthfeel with big velvety tannins. Firm, grippy finish A real heavyweight in every respect.

Deep, saturated purple-red hue. Brooding, intense red-fruit and mineral aromas show a firm oak accent. A structured entry leads to a full-bodied palate with a big tannic wallop.

Saturated dark red-purple hue. Brooding black-fruit, toasted-oak aromas. A tough entry leads to a full-bodied palate with well-extracted fruit flavors and whopping, chewy, drying tannins that grip the finish.

a blend from various coastal counties. Smells juicy and ripe, with tropical fruit, peach and toast. Mingles classic Chardonnay flavors of apple and peach with a nice, creamy texture.

Smooth and spicy, with crisp cherry, raspberry and wild berry flavors that are tart and lively, finishing with firm tannins.

A tasty, elegant, medium ruby-colored wine, La Crema's 1997 Zinfandel Reserve offers attractive berry fruit, a round, open-knit texture, and a soft, easy-going finish.

Summer's end will bring the release of this remarkably complex California Chardonnay, with its layers of spicy, toasty, cedary oak and bounty of pretty pear, fig, apricot and citrus flavors that are long and lively on the finish.

Bright and lemony, with hints of grapefruit, herb, mineral and subtle melon notes. Has a lean edge, but shows a more supple, viscous quality on the finish.

Ripe and complex, with rich, focused citrus, pear and toasted oak flavors, and a long, creamy aftertaste.

Proof that you learn something new every day. It would never occur to us to buy a late-harvest Chardonnay and we'd miss out on something pretty spectacular. Plump, rich, life-affirming and not too sweet.

This is a richly flavored spicy zin that has great balance and will age well for some years.

This cab has a soft style and resembles Merlot. A crisp, pleasant wine with tangy, bright blackberry fruit.

The aromas show sweet oak and cherry tones with hints of pepper and gamy spice qualities…

Frontal and relatively accessible with its ripe apple and pear aromas seasoned with creamy oak and a background note of leesy nuttiness, the wine is direct, tasty and obvious in flavor. A tasty offering to be sure, it would seen to want service with dishes that are both rich and somewhat sweet…

Brimming with complex flavors, this California Chardonnay offers a harmonious blend of ripe pear, nectarine, pineapple and spice, with smoky, toasty oak filling in the gaps nicely.

This is a knockout wine (if you're lucky enough to find it - only 326 cases were made). It is amazingly complex, with layers of ripe black cherry and deep blackberry fruit. The finish is long, completely balanced and lovely.

One of the South Coast's finest wineries. Starts with green apple, peach, buttercup and spice aromas. Amazingly laser-like Great acidity. The finish lasts for a full minute.