The 2009 Chardonnay Los Carneros is a beautiful, complete wine. Layers of apricot, peach, mint and French oak are woven together in this impeccable, gracious wine. Everything is in the right place. The fruit builds nicely towards the soft, enveloping finish. This is another striking wine from La Crema. The Carneros bottling is fermented in barrel, with lees stirring once a month and full malolactic fermentation. It is the most complete and well-balanced of the mid-level 2009 Chardonnays. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Tel. (800) 314-1762

Dry, racy and clean. Shows real class, with plenty of zesty lemon and lime acidity, brightening the citrus, lemongrass, white peach and mineral flavors. Production was 3,500 cases.——S.H.(5/1/2011)—— 91