"Carneros sits on San Pablo Bay north of San Francisco, which gives it a maritime climate and adds a distinct acidity and citrus quality to its Chardonnays. Napa Valley (which overlaps Carneros in part) is known for a warm climate that suits it well to Cabernet Sauvignon, but there are mountains and cooler sites where Chardonnay excels. You could expect more pear, fig and apple notes in Napa Chardonnays, with some of them made in a more opulent style.

At the top of this week’s list is David Ramey’s eponymous label. Ramey has made terrific wines at Matanzas Creek and Chalk Hill before starting his own label. Ramey’s signature balance of intensity and elegance is evident in both of his wines listed here, tapping grapes from some of the best-known vineyards in the area, Hudson and Hyde..."

RAMEY Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hudson Vineyard 2007 Score: 92 | $60
Intense and vibrant, this shows full-bodied citrus, melon, pear and hazelnut flavors that turn subtle and offer hints of fig and tangerine, while maintaining its velocity. Drink now through 2014. 975 cases made. —J.L.

FERRARI-CARANO Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Reserve 2007 Score: 90 | $32
An elegant, delicate style, firm yet supple and focused, with a complex mix of ripe pear, spice, honeysuckle and melon, ending with a long, cleansing finish. Drink now through 2014. 5,800 cases made. —J.L.

HDV Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2007 Score: 90 | $60
Chablis-like for Carneros Chardonnay, this is firm and flinty, with citrus, lime, green apple and mineral notes that have a touch of petrol, ending with a juicy apricot edge. Drink now through 2014. 924 cases made. —J.L.

RAMEY Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2007 Score: 90 | $60
Clean and refreshing, with ripe, fresh, snappy citrus, green apple and pear flavors that are pure, focused, moderately rich and pleasantly cleansing, with a snappy minerality. Drink now through 2015. 1,795 cases made. —J.L.

CUVAISON Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros S Block 2008 Score: 88 | $36
Rich and creamy, with orange peel, citrus, toasty oak, fig and apricot flavors that are full-bodied, if raw and pithy on the finish. Drink now through 2014. 884 cases made. —J.L.

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Sunday March 7th, 2010

Carneros Pinot Noir

By Lynne Char Bennett
Sunday, March 7, 2010

2007 The Donum Estate Carneros Pinot Noir ($65): This soon-to-be-released vintage from winemaker Kenneth Juhasz and grower Anne Moller-Racke, who planted the estate's vineyards in 1989, has intense but elegant fruit. Ripe black cherry, licorice, fresh bay leaf and spice are balanced with food-friendly acidity and structure. A nuanced bottling.

2007 Kazmer & Blaise Primo's Hill Carneros Pinot Noir ($50): It has been a dozen years since Kazmer & Blaise produced its first wine, Primo's Hill Pinot Noir. Though this bottling was somewhat controversial, proponents found savory bergamot, uplifted dark cherry and hint of smoke with silky mouthfeel. A distinctive, more earthy style. Limited production.

2007 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir ($60): Larry Hyde's iconic vineyard, planted in 1979, is one of the best-known in the Carneros appellation, and Patz & Hall has produced a Pinot from it for almost 15 years. Rich but not over-the-top oak entry is ballast for the generous berry fruit that expands on the back palate. Mint and moist soil add complexity; the long finish features a burst of acidity.

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Sunday December 6th, 2009

San Francisco Chronicle Selects Carneros Wines as Top 100 Wines 2009

NV Domaine Carneros Cuvee de la Pompadour Brut Rosé
($36) A bit more Pinot Noir helps give this latest rosé from Taittinger's American outpost extra depth. With creamy berry and wet dough accents, there's a slight red-wine grip, peach-skin flavors and a youthful leanness that makes it just right with food.

2008 Etude Carneros Pinot Noir Rosé
($20) Etude winemaker Jon Priest has again nailed a noteworthy pink wine, aged about four months in used barrels. Its creamy stone fruit and impressive strawberry depth add up to a serious, stylish effort.

2007 Donum Estate Carneros Pinot Noir
($65) Made by owner Anne Moller-Racke (formerly of Buena Vista) and Kenneth Juhasz (Auteur Wines) from Donum's estate plots. Dusky tamarind, cola and cedar, with exotic blue plum accents atop loamy dark fruit and a nervous mineral edge. Power here, but kept just a touch back by fine tannins and a distinct lift that balances its significant size.

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Saturday October 17th, 2009

Carneros holds inaugural wine-tasting

By Martin Espinoza

...“We fell in love with the region and we found reason to fall in love with the wine,” said Dan Kassabian, who was visiting Donum Estate south of Sonoma. It was one of 18 wineries that participated in an inaugural wine-tasting event aimed at bringing more exposure to the region...

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Friday October 2nd, 2009

Carneros Wine Trail Napa and Sonoma, Calif.

LIFE & STYLE | WINE EVENTS | OCTOBER 2, 2009

Savoring the Season

Carneros Wine Trail Napa and Sonoma, Calif.

The Harvest Passport day, sponsored by the Carneros Wine Alliance, will only feature wines from the Carneros AVA, with many wineries pouring publicly for the first time at new facilities, special locations or at vineyard sites in Carneros. Those wineries include Donum Estate, Crazy Flower Wines, Highway 12 Vineyards & Winery, Merryvale/Starmont, Patz & Hall, Saintsbury and Clos Du Val. You'll be able to taste barrel samples, new and pre-releases, and some wineries will have food, music and special discounts. Go to carneros.com for tickets and an online auction.

WHEN Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

WHERE Wineries in Napa and Sonoma

HOW MUCH $49 advance sale; $59 at the door

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