The McCrea vineyard has two unique sets of soils: half the vineyard is old marine sediment uplift and the other half is red volcanic soil. The 2017 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard has an open nose of quince peel, baked Golden Delicious apple, toast, warm hay and toasted almonds with dried acacia, river stone and lime peel hints over a core of warm white peach. Medium-bodied, it's fully fruited and giving in the mouth, broad and juicy, with tropical touches coming through on the long, textured and energetic finish.

The 2017 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard is superb. Sensual, silky and nuanced, the McCrea is especially fine in 2017. The typical earthy, savory notes that are such signatures of this Sonoma Mountain site are present, but the 2017 also has an extra kick of fruit richness and floral lift that work beautifully in giving the wine an unusual level of complexity. The 2017 McCrea is brilliant and a terrific way to start this tasting.