It’s easy to get ripe fruit in California and then plaster it in oak, but what’s so difficult to achieve is the crisp, minerally structure this wine displays. It’s rich in pineapple cream, Key lime pie, Meyer lemon sorbet, golden mango and vanilla oak flavors, but achieves balanced elegance with crisp acidity and a wonderful stony purity. Only 349 cases produced. ——S.H.(12/15/2010)—— 95

This Chard, Vine Cliff’s reserve, is actually less immediately rich and opulent than the regular, released last Spring, which was a very elaborate wine. This one may not be ready to drink quite yet. It’s tight and spicy, with a leesy, minerally streak and lots of oak. Hold through 2007, then drink for a few more years.——S.H.(2/1/2007)—— 92

From the Napa side, this is one irresistable Chard, the kind you can’t get enough of. Makes love to the palate with its rich, creamy texture, sweetly ripe peach, tangerine and mango flavors, oaky buttery vanilla and crisp acids. The finish is enormously spicy and long. As big as it is, it’s a study in classic harmony.——S.H.(12/1/2004)—— 94