The Wine Gift Shop

White Wine by Benziger from Sonoma County, California. The style is full throttle fruit, highlighted by ripe citrus and tropical notes, supported by good acids and a rich, silky mouthfeel. Tropical fruit, browned butter and nutmeg aromas marry with flavors of pineapple, sweet red apple, coconut and hazelnut. The finish is well integrated with good fruit intensity.

White Wine by Ch. St. Jean from Sonoma County, California. The best fruit from Chateau St. Jean's premier vineyards (including Robert Young, Belle Terre, and Durell) is set aside for this Reserve Chardonnay. Great care is taken to create a great bottle of wine, including aging in sur lie for 17 months in French oak barrels, and then bottle aging for an additional year before release.

White Wine by Chalk Hill from Sonoma County, California. This is perhaps the most elegant Chardonnay ever produced by Chalk Hill. The wine displays the tropical fruit and mineral characteristics of the estate, and is delicately infused with citrus, pear and honeysuckle, an imprint from the cool vintage conditions.

White Wine by Chateau St. Jean from Sonoma County, California. Classic winemaking techniques such as sur lie aging for 17 months are used for this wine. Each lot is kept separate throughout the winemaking process and aged in 100% French oak (57% new). A barrel selection from each lot is made to craft the final blend. Due to the large percentage of Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay in this blend, only 50% of the final blend underwent malolactic fermentation as the Robert Young Chardonnay component is kept a nonmalolactic wine. This medium-bodied Reserve Chardonnay opens with pleasing aromas of Bosc pear, lemon candy and nutmeg. Unctuous notes of creamy lemon bar and kiwi fruit are backed by subtle hints hazelnut, baking spice and mineral characters. The well-balanced acidity and complexity of flavors lead to a lengthy lemon oil finish. - Margo Van Staaveren, Winemaker

White Wine by Chateau St. Jean from Sonoma County, California. Inviting aromas of lemon, pear and jasmine along with a touch of toasty vanilla mingle on the nose of this classic Sonoma County Chardonnay. Refreshing and balanced, the wine has vibrant acidity with pleasing flavors of pear, pineapple and roasted almonds that lead to a clean finish. - Margo Van Staaveren, Winemaker

White Wine by Chateau Souverain from Sonoma County, California. The 2005 Sonoma County Chardonnay offers vibrant tropical notes of papaya, melon, pear and a touch of citrus. This well-balanced wine is round and rich with pleasing flavors of spiced-apple pie and classic vanilla bean. Luscious flavors of ripe yellow pear harmonize with cinnamon spice notes and lead to a long, lingering finish. -Winemaker, Ed Killian

White Wine by Clos du Bois from Sonoma County, California. With a brilliant, silver- and straw-yellow hue, this Chardonnay rises out of the glass with intense apple, ripe pear and sweet lemon drop scents. They are complemented by toasty oak, spice and butter notes from barrel and malolactic fermentation. The palate is bright and juicy, with rich, ripe, apple and pear flavors and a long, fresh aftertaste. The texture is silky-smooth, with a creaminess achieved by hand-stirring the lees in barrels during the sur lie aging.

White Wine by Ferrari Carano from Sonoma County, California. The 2006 Alexander Valley Chardonnay is a delicious wine with floral and fruit aromas of pear, Fuji apple, citrus and honey graham cracker with a hint of rich caramel and toasted coconut marshmallow. Generous on the palate, creamy vanilla undertones balance layers of toast and spice on the finish, while the tropical flavors linger to the end.

White Wine by Geyser Peak from Sonoma County, California. The delicate golden color of this wine conceals a bright, fruit intensity evidenced by aromas of fig and pear, with undertones of butterscotch and vanilla. These characteristics are carried through on the palate, where the fruit flavors intensify, and are complemented by balanced oak. The initial creaminess on the palate evolves into a crisp finish that makes this wine a perfect match for a wide variety of cuisines. Try it with sea bass in a ginger coconut broth or a creamy pasta topped with crab or shrimp.

White Wine by Geyser Peak from Sonoma County, California. Focused aromas of pear, fig, and tropical fruit show the wine's fruit intensity, while undertones of butterscotch and vanilla provide complexity. On the palate, these fruit flavors intensify and are complemented by pretty notes of balanced oak. The initial creaminess on the palate evolves into a crisp finish that makes this wine a perfect match for a wide variety of cuisines. Try it with sea bass in a ginger coconut broth or a creamy pasta topped with crab or shrimp.

White Wine by Hanzell from Sonoma County, California. Massive, complex, with amazing depth, an opulent, voluptuous wine of tremendous power and authority. Its so beautiful now, you almost hesitate to cellar it, but these Hanzell Chards are built for the long haul... -Wine Enthusiast Honey and grapefruit, typical markers for Hanzells Chardonnay, are prominent at first, but then behind these are compelling characters of pastry shell (baked butter and flour), a delicate toast character from the barrels, almonds, milk and bread dough. A full, round presence in the mouth is supported by acidity that saves the broad and rich texture from being cloying. This vintage should mature in 2012 and carry through to 2020. - Michael Terrien

White Wine by Hanzell from Sonoma County, California. As this was Michael Terrien's first vintage making the wine, he was focused on determining how Hanzell Chardonnay distinguishes itself in the company of other California Chardonnays. Hanzell's recipe is unique: grapes are crushed before pressing, fermentation occurs in tank rather than barrel, new oak barrels are used only moderately, and malo-lactic fermentation is largely suppressed. The winemaking is so traditional as to be, in an odd way, iconoclast and new. Hanzell recipe honors a lighter winemaking touch and permits clarity of expression. The wine is about place rather than ingredients; traditional, but intentional. Glistening and bright with citrus peel (mostly grapefruit) and bread dough aromas of yeast and wet flour. Subtle flower aromas lift the pear and apple scent and the honeyed, oily richness that develops with bottle age is just beginning to emerge upon the wine's release. Few wineries in California can craft a Chard as rich, balanced and ageworthy as this. In its youth this '05 is flashy in lemondrop, pear and spicy anise, with a honeyed finish and crisp acidity. It's quite addictively brilliant, a wine whose lush harmony mesmerizes the palate. But Hanzell Chards invariably age well, and this is a wine you can dependably put into your cellar for 5, 10, 15 years, even longer, as it continues to evolve and become more limpid and minerally. -Wine Enthusiast

White Wine by Hartford Court from Sonoma County, California. Although this inaugural vintage of Hartford Court Four Hearts Chardonnay has a weighty texture with spicy and layered flavors, it finishes with a brightness that reflects the cool climate origins of the stellar vineyards that comprise this new release. Complex aromas and flavors of white peach, citrus blossom, Asian pear and candied lemon give way to a rich and weighty mid-palate, followed by a very long, exotic spice-infused finish.

White Wine by J. Garcia from Sonoma County, California. Made from 100% Chardonnay, this wine was created from premium Sonoma County vineyards, primarily from the renowned Russian River and Alexander Valleys. The 2005 vintage was a winemaker's dream for white wines in Sonoma County, and this Chardonnay is no exception. This vibrant, richly textured wine explodes with an intense beam of apple and mandarin citrus flavors on the palate, with a delicate floral note and creamy oak adding complexity. The lingering finish is balanced and lively. The fresh apple flavors and citrusy backbone of this well-balanced Chardonnay make it a wonderfully food-friendly wine. Try it with fettuccine Alfredo, roasted pork loin or rosemary chicken.

White Wine by Jacuzzi from Sonoma County, California. Pears and grapefruits are the dominant characteristics of this flavorful and medium-bodied Chardonnay. Because of its nice bright acidity and fresh fruit, grilled salmon or roasted chicken would certainly compliment the wine nicely.

White Wine by Kendall-Jackson from Sonoma County, California. Tropical flavors such as mango and pineapple dance with aromas of peach, apple and pear. Richly layered and balanced throughout. Lightly buttered toast headlines the indulgent, lingering finish. - Randy Ullom, Winemaster

White Wine by Kunde from Sonoma County, California. Soft and round with a vibrant mix of fruit flavors, this elegantly styled Chardonnay lets its green apple and melon nuances play out on a gentle frame of toast and vanilla. The ripe fruit is highlighted by a subtle herb component that gives added complexity to its lengthy finish.

White Wine by Landmark from Sonoma County, California. The 20 plus separate vineyards that comprise this year's Overlook include such distinguished growers as Sangaciomo, Bien Nacido, Martinelli, Lorenzo and Heintz. All the wine in the Overlook bottling is barrel fermented using indigenous yeasts and undergoes full malo-lactic fermentation. The wine is aged sur lie for ten months in Burgundian barrels and racked to tanks for blending. The aromas of toasted almonds, caramel and coconut are followed by crisp green apple and lemon rind flavors that convey certain minerality. This wine will pair well with seafoods and shellfish, and complement pastas with cream sauces, as well as roast chicken and pork roast with fruit.

White Wine by Matanzas Creek from Sonoma County, California. A first glimpse of the wine reveals a pale, straw color, quite typical for a sophisticated Chardonnay. The first nose brings a delicate blend of green apple, white peach, and acacia flower, with a surprising addition of the autumn fruits pear and quince. After a swirl, the second nose reveals a more mineral note of crushed stones, the mark of an exceptional Chardonnay. The palate is round and velvety with a prolonged, flavorful finish of honey and melon. There is also a unique and subtle hint of smoke, derived from basalt, an ancient ocean floor rock found in Bennett Valley's soil. Although this Chardonnay was crafted with 95% malolactic fermentation, it is far from a heavy, buttery wine. Fran?ois strives to create an elegant wine which is expressly crafted to complement the food. In addition, he is able to preserve the fullest potential of the Chardonnay fruit by employing a Champagne-style vinification that is gentle on the fruit during crush and prevents any bitter note in the finish. If allowed to age, this wine promises to further increase in minerality and develop a luscious, butterscotch character.

White Wine by Moon Mountain from Sonoma County, California. The grapes for Moon Mountain's 2005 Sonoma County Chardonnay were fermented in a combination of French oak and stainless steel. Each component was aged for 8 months. Partial malolactic fermentation was encouraged to soften the acidity and add complexity. The barrel-fermented portion was aged sur lie and stirred every two weeks for the first four months, then racked off of the lees. This alluring wine offers tangy nectarine, crisp Meyer lemon and Pink Lady apple flavors, with subtle notes of nutmeg and oak. This is a well-structured wine, with lifted fruit, bright acidity and a long finish. Subtle nuances of butter balance out the crisp acidity, making this Chardonnay an ideal food wine. Enjoy it paired with seared sea scallops, grilled tuna and Brie cheese served with fresh fruit.

White Wine by Rodney Strong from Sonoma County, California. Barrel fermentation in new and seasoned French oak added toasty vanilla and spice complexities, and during 9 1/2 months of barrel aging, the lees were regularly stirred in barrel, which gives a certain fullness and creamy texture on the palate. Encouraging malolactic fermentation added additional character, and in the glass the wine is both creamy and crisp, with abundant fruit character, mineral and toasty oak flavors. Enjoy over the next 1-3 years.