Bob Cabral continues to fashion mouthfilling, enormously rich Chardonnays that see full malolactic, lees aging, and are bottled without filtration. This 2000 Chardonnay possesses high alcohol (15.7%) as well as obvious fruit. It tastes like Chardonnay eau de vie, but it is incredibly well-balanced and full-bodied, with huge glycerin levels. The wine is smoky and leesy, with hazelnut, lemon rind, and tropical fruit characteristics. It will age nicely for 5-10 years.Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546

Kicks off with a hint of citrus and butterscotch on the nose. It’s a densely structured wine, framed in toasty oak and showing tightly wound hints of lemon, melon, pear and peach flavors. Bright on the finish, this is a powerful wine that should unfold nicely with time. —J.M.——J.M.(2/1/2003)—— 92