Sonoma Vineyards Chardonnay 2006
Sonoma County California $16.95 (60624) 13.8% alcohol
This unoaked Chardonnay offers very good value. It features plenty of fruit—mainly melon and yellow apple—with gentle floral notes. In the mouth it’s refreshing without being tart and is wonderfully balanced. With medium body and good depth on the finish, this will be a great companion for baked tilapia with fresh fruit compote. This offers good value. (MT)


Sonoma Vineyards Merlot 2005
Sonoma County California $16.95 (60632) 13.8% alcohol
Initially, this smells a little more like an ‘Old World’ Merlot than one made in California. It opens with pronounced herbal and smoky aromas before dark plum and red berry fruit appear. Roasted coffee and vanilla notes are indicative of the wine’s oak treatment. It features a focused structure with a good core of acidity underneath fine-grained tannin. This medium-bodied Merlot would suit braised leg of lamb in rosemary jus. (MT)