3 | Wine | White, Napa Valley, 91 to 95

"Antica’s 2011 Chardonnay is laced with lemon peel, white flowers, spices and crushed rocks. In this vintage, the estate’s Chardonnay is especially rich and powerful, largely because the irregular flowering lowered yields by 50%. This is an unusual Chardonnay that is bright in its aromas and flavors but fairly broad-shouldered in style."

"Combines richness with elegance and finesse, offering intense, focused citrus-laced pear, honeysuckle and melon notes that expand on the lingering, flavorful finish."

"Slate, minerals, crushed rocks and grapefruit linger on the precise, crystalline finish. This is a very Chablis-like Napa Valley Chardonnay."

"The 2011 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch has a similar aromatic and flavor profile as the 2010 with more textural richness and oiliness because of the presence of botrytis in this vintage. I have to say, the 2011 is highly intriguing. It will be interesting to see where the wine goes over the coming years."

"The 2010 Chardonnay is a gorgeous wine laced with expressive varietal fruit, smoke, butter, minerals and French oak. This is a fairly restrained style, yet all of the elements are in perfect balance. A long, subtle finish rounds things out very nicely."

"The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Ryan’s Vineyard offers up lime, white peaches, flowers, sage and tomato leaf. The long, cold growing season was beneficial to the development of bright, varietal aromas and flavors. A long, persistent finish rounds things out in style."

"Offers a plump, generous serving of ripe pear, white peach, honeysuckle and fig flavors that are pure and rich. A touch of honey and apricot joins a scent of smoky oak on the finish."

"Consistently one of the top Chardonnays in California. ...Pahlmeyer’s 2009 exhibits an impressive, thick-looking, light gold color with green hues. Loads of peach, creme brulee, honeysuckle, and subtle oak are present in this full-bodied, well-endowed, pedal-to-the-metal style of Chardonnay that will appeal to those who like white Burgundy, but with additional richness." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"This sleek, subtle white displays an elegant mix of Golden Delicious apple, honeydew melon, spice and custard flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, with a smooth, graceful finish."