Dierberg Estate Vineyards 2010 Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

Immediate impressions of Meyer lemon and orange blossom are followed by aromas of hazelnut, allspice and Fuji apple. On the palate, the wine is sleek and refined, with a lithe texture and mouthwatering acidity. Flavors of citrus, Fuji apple, tangelo and lightly toasted hazelnuts—echo the aromatic impressions of this Chardonnay, creating seamless wine, at once powerful and impeccably balanced.

94 points, Connoisseurs' Guide (May 2013): "Here is an exceptionally well-made Chardonnay that belies the notion that you cannot have it all. It is deep, very well-ripened and rife with rich fruit and oak, but it is also extraordinarily well- balanced and promises to get even better with age. It capably bridges the gulf between the "old" paradigm of ripeness and abundant oak and the new one of fashion that favors firmness and higher acidity instead, and it convincingly captures the best that each has to offer."

This wine was recently featured in The California Wine Club's wine of the month club.