All of the Chardonnays are hand-made wines that are whole cluster fermented with indigenous yeasts, put through full malolactic fermentation, aged in approximately 60% new oak, and bottled without filtration. They possess firm backbones (from good acidity), as well as strong personalities. The 1996 Chardonnay Allen Vineyard is an explosively rich, viscous, full-bodied, in-your-face Chardonnay with a Burgundian-like, leesy, smoked hazelnut-scented character. A flamboyant, mouthfilling, buttery apple, thick, juicy Chardonnay, it needs to be matched with equally intense food. It will drink well for 4-5 years. Tel. (707) 433-2305; Fax (707) 433-2358