Montoya Vineyards Chardonnay California Arroyo Seco Vineyard 2009

This full-bodied California Chardonnay balances juicy pineapple fruit with creamy, toasty oak. Round and plump in the mouth with a rich texture, it delivers a wonderful tropical fruit finish. Perfect with cedar plank salmon and dill sauce.

We found this Chardonnay quite appealing for its aromas of spiced apple, vanilla, and banana with modest, creamy oak. Restrained, balanced and a great value, we rated this third out of 13 in our blind tasting.

THE wine for those who think they are tired of this varietal. Stunningly racy acidity reveals pears in red raspberry sauce. Sur lie aging shows balanced yeastiness. The brilliantly judicious use of oak shows only through pecan nuttiness. Herbs de Provence and dried flowers mix with the fruit for an astounding finish.

This wine hails from Arroyo Seco ("dry creek"), an AVA known for having a cool climate. What it means to Burgundian grapes such as Chardonnay is that the long growing season ripens the grapes slowly, preserving their fresh flavors and natural acids. It shows up in the fruit of this wine in the form of yellow pear, melon and crisp red apple. A distinct pecan-like nuttiness is present from aging in French and American oak.

This wine hails from Arroyo Seco (ldquo;dry creekrdquo;), an AVA known for having a cool climate. What it means to Burgundian grapes such as Chardonnay is that the long growing season ripens the grapes slowly, preserving their fresh flavors and natural acids. It shows up in the fruit of this wine in the form of yellow pear, melon and crisp red apple. A distinct pecan-like nuttiness is present from aging in French and American oak.

This full-bodied California Chardonnay balances juicy pineapple fruit with creamy, toasty oak. Round and plump in the mouth with a rich texture, it delivers a wonderful tropical fruit finish. Perfect with cedar plank salmon and dill sauce.

We found this Chardonnay quite appealing for its aromas of spiced apple, vanilla, and banana with modest, creamy oak. Restrained, balanced and a great value, we rated this third out of 13 in our blind tasting.