Arcadian, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay 2008, Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Tasting Note: If you like a chardonnay with body and hair on its chest, this developed, well-made, fruit-filled, aged chardonnay is for you.

Deep-intensity gold in color, this wine has a pronounced-intensity, aromatic nose of apricot, tart green apple, pear compote, pineapple, blossom, vanilla baking spice and lemon-citrus peel.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied chardonnay is filled with round, ripe, green-and-yellow fruit flavors suggested on the nose and is supported by medium acidity that completes with just the slightest hint of vanilla baking spice on the medium-plus finish.

The wine has a creamy texture (not buttery) with mid-palate complexity.

A serious chardonnay-lover’s chard.

Bottle Note: I believe wine should reflect the elements of nature and their impact on the vines from which the wine is produced. And that the winemaker’s task is to understand this impact and to introduce his or her vision in harmony with the elements. The best wines are a reflection of the melding of the two. – Joseph M. Davis