Kesner, Rockbeak Chardonnay, Sonoma County

This was exceptionally good. And this coming from someone who rarely likes CA Chards. Why did I find this so good? Because despite being unabashedly CA (sun kissed, somewhat full on and decadent fruit), the wine was balanced by excellent acidity and a judicious oak treatment. Both nose and palate were very enjoyable - somehwat exhuberant, but never cloying or over the top. Wine’s acidity kept me smacking my lips and going for yet another sip. Incidentally, fruit is from …

Still good. But drink up in the next year.

Nice bottle with clean finish. Typical Chardonnay.

Just how I like my Cali chards. Oaky, but nice balance. Buttery honey, pear, and some tropical fruits. Full bodied and mouth-coating. Nice for our annual Christmas Eve seafood grill.

Very nice. Complex and not overly oaky.

Light yellow color; pineapple, apple nose; tight, tart pear, tart apple palate; needs 1-plus year; medium-plus finish (14.3% alcohol; pricey at $59 SRP)

Outstanding bottle of wine. Lovely pure yellow in color with evident legs and lovely aromas. Smooth citrus notes with ripe nectarine and underlying white rock. The acidity, mouthfeel and elegance just take this wine to a sublime drinking experience.

Full straw color. Nose: pineapple, nectarine, and lime with accents of bananas Foster, white pepper, and river stone. Medium/full body on the palate: nectarine, lime, and pineapple framed by bananas Foster, orange peel, river stone, and white pepper. Medium+ acidity. Lingering orange peel, river stone, and white pepper on the moderate/long finish. Plush and ripe, but with a fine acid/mineral backbone. Outstanding.

Quite possibly one of the most beautiful looking Chardonnays I have seen. Pure and clear golden yellow with glycerin legs. Striking in the glass. Aromas of light citrus, stone fruit and minerality. The palate is as pure as the appearance and nose with continued nectarine, stone and nuanced citrus elements. I kept coming back to how pure this wine is. Absolutely smooth and silky with no harshness or over-oaked distractions. Incredibly long finish and lifted throughout by excellent acidity. Awesome!