This 2006 Five Rivers Chardonnay is a sensational wine with aromas of lemon-lime and lemon drop, followed by passion fruit, sweet jasmine, melon and some butter topped with licorice. The mouth feel is creamy, with a good acid backbone. There are also crisp flavors of citrus, grapefruit, melon and some orange notes along with vanilla and spice.

Chardonnays from the cool coastal growing regions in Monterey have a distinct personality that is easy to recognize. This Fiver Rivers Chardonnay vintage is exceptional. The winery's approach to wine creation begins with a gentle pressing and a slow, cool fermentation to retain the fruit's subtleties. They emphasize the fruit's natural characteristics by fermenting 60% in stainless, 40% in mostly French barrels, with 15% of the wine allowed to proceed through malolactic fermentation. This lovely chardonnay is aged in French and American oak with a mixture of toast levels for six months prior to bottling.