La Crema 'Sonoma' Chardonnay 2011

A consistently well-made domestic Chardonnay that is wallet and crowd friendly. La Crema's Chardonnay is balanced, with lively citrus zest and apple fruit character and a creamy mouth-feel.

This Chardonnay has notes of nectarine, apple, pineapple, and citrus that meld into a wonderful combination of fruit. The fruit is balanced by hazelnut, ginger and subtle butterscoth. The intense pear, nectarine and passion fruit are layered into a nice creamy finish.

The palate adds flavors of juicy yellow plum, lemon curd and vanilla custard. Rich tropical tones and a lingering spice add richness and texture to the long, fresh finish.

2007 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay bursts with enticing aromas of citrus, floral notes, butterscotch, lemon peel and a slight spicy quality. In the mouth, flavors of citrus, pear and honeysuckle combine with subtle toast and caramel, adding richness and texture to the long, lingering finish. A great addition to a nice tropical flower and fruit basket!

Opens with an intriguing interplay of lively citrus and subtle toasted oak, laced with just a kiss of butterscotch. The palate is round and nutty, with flavors of yellow apple and orange adding lushness, while well-balanced acidity creates a lovely vibrancy.

There are slightly more than 545,000 cases of the 2007 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, which offers up aromas of orange blossoms, lemon oil, and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied with crisp, fresh fruit, a subtle touch of oak (9% is barrel-fermented), a long, pure finish, and fashioned by winemaker Melissa Stackhouse, this impeccably made Chardonnay should provide enjoyment over the next 2ndash;3 years.

There are just under one-half million cases of the 2008 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, which is an excellent value, particularly when one considers it comes from the high rent district of the Sonoma Coast. Elegant white peach, apricot, and lemon blossom notes are present in this medium-bodied, crisp, well-made, barrel-fermented Chardonnay (almost three-quarters is put through malolactic fermentation). The wine possesses good freshness, purity, and depth. It should drink well for 2-3 years.