87 Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay, Sonoma 2006.
What I like about this wine is the balance. Although you have some citrus and melon scents on the nose, I detected slight complexity with hints of vanilla and spice on the finish. And yet the whole time I never felt there was too much butterscotch or cream, as some of the overly muddy Chardonnays tend to reveal. Because of the slightly longer growing season in 2005, the grapes benefited from extra hang time resulting in more intense flavors. And in this wine it showed. For pairing, try seafood dishes like lobster or fish with simple sauces. This Chardonnay should complement them well. $13.49 — CS. Read the full review.