1 | Wine | White, 86 or higher | Page 3

"Toasty tropical aromas lead to a spicy, savory, well-balanced, lengthy Chardonnay that is an excellent value meant for drinking over the next 2-3 years."

"Vivid yellow. Lively, spice-accented aromas of tangerine, melon and white flowers, with toasty lees and sweet butter accents adding depth. Offers an array of citrus fruit and spice flavors, with suave honeysuckle and brioche nuances emerging with air. Lingers impressively on the finish, which shows nervy orange pith and ginger character."

"Fresh and soft, this brims with spicy pineapple and floral flavors, finishing with mild sweetness."

"Pale gold. Powerful scents of pineapple, mango and white flowers, with a chalky overtone. Supple and round in the mouth, offering juicy tropical fruit flavors and a bracing note of lemon zest. The floral note comes back on the long, broad finish."

"Fragrant aromas of jasmine, honey, and tropical fruits inform the nose of this nicely proportioned, intense, savory, dry white. It is an outstanding value."

"Full yellow-gold color. Aromas of peach, apricot, tangerine, honey and brown spices show an exotic character suggesting a bit of botrytis. Juicy and concentrated but a bit aggressively oaky on the palate, showing ripe stone fruit flavors and a slight umami saline character. Finishes with a bit of alcoholic burn."

"Lemon and lime on the nose, with a hint of herbs. Light-bodied, racy citrus flavors are appealingly clean and brisk but could use a bit more heft. Easygoing and refreshing, with good finishing cut."

"A pretty, floral Riesling with apple blossom and lily notes accenting the quince, mandarin orange and Gala apple notes. Tangy and very thirst-quenching."

"Straw yellow. Pungent aromas of pineapple, grapefruit and lime zest. Intense and savory, with excellent thrust to the citrus zest and floral flavors. Mondavi picks this fruit early (80% of it is from owned vineyards), using dry ice and SO2 to protect it from air at the pressing. Youthfully tight and very fresh. Yes, the sauvignon blancs were presented after the reserve chardonnay at my March tasting at Mondavi."

"The 2010 Chardonnay Grand Reserve emerges from the glass with lemon, minerals, white flowers and subtle French oak. The Grand Reserve impresses for its length and textural elegance, both of which are remarkable for a wine made on this scale. Estate owned vineyards in Santa Barbara and Monterey are the sources for the fruit."