Cut from a similar mold as the Carneros with additional amounts of tropical fruit and brioche, the 2005 Chardonnay El Novillero Vineyard is an elegant, restrained white that builds incrementally in the mouth, and finishes with outstanding length as well as purity. It is a serious effort possessing more minerality than the Carneros cuvee. It was good to see longtime wine enthusiast, national sales rep for Kermit Lynch Importers, vineyard owner, and wine producer, Bruce Neyers, who has one of the most important palates on the West Coast. Neyers, who utilizes the services of Ehren Jordan of Turley Wine Cellars as his winemaker, has consistently turned out beautiful Chardonnays as well as fine Merlots, Zinfandels, and Syrahs. 2005 appears to be a fabulous vintage for Chardonnay as most exhibit intense aromatics, super purity of fruit, and surprising freshness for wines of such density and power.Tel. (707) 963-9940; Fax (707) 963-8894