2005 Chardonnay - El Jabalí Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills

From the organically-farmed grapes at our El Jabalí vineyard comes this vibrant chardonnay. Like Helen of Troy in a bottle, launching a thousand over-the-top descriptors, it is a thing of ravishing beauty, brilliant, elegant, graceful, smelling of flowers, pineapple and lime zest. A chardonnay that's not a dairy product (what an idea!), sleek with crisp acidity.

We'd pair it with chicken in rich, creamy sauces, or with fondue, or risotto with white truffles, or soufflés and other egg dishes - maybe even with breakfast on the next day off...

Case Production: 1,450 Special Pricing while supplies last: $22.50 per bottle, $324 per case

Price: $22.50 Quantity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Add to cart

...offers plenty of tropical fruit, peach, and honeysuckle notes, an excellent texture, medium to full body and an up-front style. Drink it over the next several years. 90 points
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

2006 Chardonnay - El Jabalí Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills

Luminous and lively, here’s a barely-oaked Chardonnay from 25-year-old vines farmed organically in the “front yard” of our ranch at El Jabalí. Cold fermented in steel tanks without malolactic fermentation, this wine shows some of the citrus purity of the fruit, with ripe pear meets apricot flavor/aromas, and a pleasing crisp toastiness shot through by a sleek streak of vanilla.

Pairs with stir-fry; roasted fish with fruit salsa; herbed grilled chicken; crispy fried trout; classic Southern fried chicken with mashed potatoes…

Case production: 861 Price: $30 per bottle, $324 per case

Price: $30.00 Quantity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Add to cart

2007 Chardonnay - Santa Barbara County

Exhibiting the bright energy of exuberant youth, this wine is like a swift arrow let loose from the bow… right on target with the tropical fruit aromatics characteristic of Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County. Here we have a citrus-apple acidity and a just-barely noticeable oak presence. This is the firm, angular and crisp side of the Chardonnay spectrum, which is especially complementary with food to balance its mouth-watering freshness.

Try with crustaceans and shellfish, grilled or roasted fish with fruit salsas, spicy chicken curry, baked brie (or other creamy-rich cheeses).

Case production: 6305 Price: $18 per bottle, $194.40 per case

Price: $18.00  Quantity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Add to cart

Just a tremendous wine, but for all the volume and complexity, it's completely balanced.
Editors' Choice 94 points
Wine Enthusiast, September 2008