Rich and layered, with apple, piecrust, caramel and toast aromas and flavors. Full and rich, yet fresh and balanced. Long and impressive. Chardonnay. Drink now. James Suckling

The 2006 Chardonnay Gaia & Rey is a wonderfully pure, minerally Chardonnay laced with varietal fruit buffered by silky, elegant tannins. The French oak needs some time to incorporate into the wine, but this remains an extraordinarily beautiful, refined Chardonnay of notable pedigree. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016. AG

Bright yellow. More reticent on the nose than the 2007, hinting at stone fruits and toast. Gives a sweeter impression on entry, then turns a bit more clenched in spite of its fleshiness and inherent pliancy, showing considerable power and structure. A classically dry, broad chardonnay with flavors of pear and peach pit complicated by well-integrated toasty oak.