2006 Home Block Chardonnay

Even better is the 2006 Chardonnay Home Block, which comes from the owner’s Spring Ridge Vineyard, but from 28-year-old vines. It has more tropical fruit, fuller body, a complex mouthfeel, with lots of exotic fruit notes such as mango, orange, and even a hint of pineapple. This wine should drink beautifully for 5-7 years. These are superb Chardonnays. 2006 was a long, cool growing season in the Santa Cruz Mountains, without any of the botrytis problems for Chardonnay or Pinot that inflicted Carneros and the Russian River. Written up in the World’s Greatest Wine Values report in Issue 178, but still worth mentioning is the $16 Varner 2007 Foxglove Chardonnay from San Luis Obispo. It is an outstanding wine and easily one of the great values for Chardonnay in the marketplace. Tel. (650) 321-4894; Fax (650) 321-4893