The prodigious 2008 Chardonnay Bee Block (Varner’s most prolific cuvee at 596 cases) is one of the greatest Chardonnays I have tasted this year. Outstanding length and intensity, full-bodied power, and copious notes of buttery citrus, honeysuckle, spring flowers, white currants, lemon, tropical fruit blossoms, and spice are found in this brilliant example of this mountain appellation. Drink it over the next decade or more. Along with Mt. Eden, these are my favorite Chardonnays from the Santa Cruz Mountain appellation. Following a succession of remarkable wines over recent vintages, the 2008s are a superb success, combining the great complexity one finds in the finest white Burgundies with the ripe, exuberant, showy fruit of California. All possess wonderful minerality and acidity with only subtle differences between the different blocks. All are barrel-fermented with indigenous yeast from the vineyard, are put through full malolactic fermentation, and are aged 8 months in barrel. Tel. (650) 321-4894; Fax (650) 321-4893