Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington: L'Ecole 41 Chardonnay 2008

This elegantly balanced Chardonnay shows robust acidity and purity of fruit with subdued tropical fruit, orange blossom and Asian pear flavors and subtle mineral nuances that gain complexity on a long, robust finish.

The fruit was lightly whole-cluster pressed to tank and allowed to settle. The juice was then racked off of the solids into mostly second and third year French oak barrels where it was aged sur lie and stirred for six months resulting in a rich mouth feel and a creamy full finish.

A fine, easy-drinking, high acid style of Chardonnay, this shows spiced apple and white peach flavors, quaffable and tart. It will taste best with some sort of creamy sauced poultry or seafood.

Chardonnay from Russian River, California: Martin Ray Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2006

Ten months of aging in French oak barrels on the lees develops rounder, creamier texture in the wine. The 2006 Russian River Valley Chardonnay begins with aromas highlighted by fresh melon, apple and vanilla. The wine's superior structure and balance have a backbone of crisp apple, melon and creamy vanilla flavors that continue flawlessly on to a ripe and elegant finish.

A succulent dish of fresh lobster tails with a rich butter sauce would be an excellent match for our Chardonnay.

Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California: Frog's Leap Napa Valley Chardonnay 2008

The 2008 Frog's Leap Chardonnay greets you with aromas of wet stone and white peaches layered with delicate notes of honeysuckle. Flavors of grapefruit and lemongrass lead to a taut mouthfeel that touches on layers of flint and toasted coconut. Refreshingly crisp with tart acidity, this wine has a clean bright finish that lingers on the palate. A wine that truly lives up to our mantra about great chardonnays: less butter – more minerality.

A favorite verse in the Tao offers: "We shape clay into a pot but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want. We hammer wood for a house but it is the inner space that makes it livable. We work with being but non-being is what we use."

It is this essential "non-being" that defines our approach to Chardonnay. As winemakers, we recognize our greatest contribution is to impose less of ourselves upon the wine, allowing the Chardonnay its own light, energy, freshness and honesty. Instead of hammering more wood onto the house, we favor restraint and modesty in our winemaking.

We are fond of saying that there is nothing more overrated in Chardonnay than "fruit" and nothing more underrated than "earth." With this goal in mind we selected the Carneros district of the Napa Valley as the primary home for this wine back in 1982. Pure flavors and a clean mouth-feel make this wine ultimately refined, elegant and the ideal complement to a variety of cuisine.

Chardonnay from Carneros, California: Clos Pegase Mitsukos Vineyard Chardonnay 2007

On the nose, nectarine, peach and lemon-lime notes are deftly balanced with complex yet integrated charry and toasted French oak. The palate is luscious, vibrant and elegant with great opulence and a rich, long finish.

Sauvignon Blanc from Central Coast, California: Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Our Sauvignon Blanc vineyards enjoyed beautiful conditions from Spring right through harvest in September. As usual, the majority of the grapes are from the Griva vineyard in the Arroyo Seco appellation of the Salinas Valley. This year we also selected grapes from a neighboring vineyard as well as from two vineyards a few miles to the south in slightly warmer locations. All our Sauvignon Blanc grapes are the highly prized Musqué clone. We also continue our tradition of adding a small addition of barrel fermented Napa Semillon to enhance roundness and complexity. A large majority of our lots are cold fermented in stainless steel tanks to enhance and protect the intense varietal characters of these special vineyards. The resulting blend is a wine which exhibits a rich mosaic of aromas and flavors typical of the great Sauvignon Blancs of the world.

Our 2008 expresses the finest varietal aromas of fresh grass, gooseberry, grapefruit and white peach with nuances of melon and our typical hints of Arroyo Seco minerality. The mouthfeel is round and full, with layers of grapefruit, lime and tropical fruit flavors which linger on the long, lush finish.

Bright straw hue. Uplifting scents of white peach and Granny Smith apple. Creamy acidity and juicy flavors of apple cider and nectarine. Hints of vanilla and toasted oak flesh out the lingering close.

Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California: Hall Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2008

This vintage of Sauvignon Blanc offers effusive aromas of citrus peel, pink grapefruit and ripe tropical fruits. The palate is lush and layered with guava, gooseberry underpinned by a poetic wet- stone minerality.

Intensely mouthwatering, with peach and tangerine flavors that are ripe and juicy, with a pleasant, fragrant orange blossom note. Drink now.

White Wine from Sicily, Italy: Feudo Sartanna Chardonnay-Grillo 2008

Straw yellow in color with greenish hues. An intense and persistent bouquet of white fruit and citrus blossoms. On the palate, this wine is crisp in character, full and smooth with great balance. Crafted with respect for tradition and with passion for terroir, this wine captures the spirit of Sicily. Perfect as an aperitif, it also makes a splendid companion for seafood pastas, grilled white fish, roast poultry, and vegetarian fare.

70% Chardonnay, 30% Grillo