Named after Fess Parker’s wife, the medium to full-bodied 2002 Chardonnay Marcella’s Vineyard boasts layers of richness in the mouth. Its restrained yet impressive bouquet of smoke, hazelnuts, oranges, and pineapples is followed by rich, layered Chardonnay with terrific underlying acidity as well as an opulent, heady, clean, steely finish. It should drink well for 4-5 years. Tel. (805) 688-1545

The exceptional, light straw-colored 2000 Chardonnay Marcella's Vineyard displays structure as well as copious quantities of tropical fruits and minerals, significant length, and good integration of wood and acidity. It is a sexy, medium to full-bodied, beautifully made Chardonnay that should drink well for 3-4 years. I suspect some readers find it hard to reconcile Hollywood's Davy Crockett/Daniel Boone image of Fess Parker with that of a seriously committed vineyard developer and winery owner. However, these are some of the finest wines and wine values emerging from the Santa Barbara region. While maintaining an attractive price structure, Fess Parker and his winemaking team (his son, Elias, leads the pack) continue to raise quality to impressive levels. As I have indicated in past reports, Fess Parker has been a visionary in Santa Barbara. Not only does he run a fine hotel and restaurant, but he has developed some of the region's finest vineyards. Moreover, he has been generous in sharing the fruit from those vineyards with some of the area's best winemakers. His new releases are all impressive.Tel. (805) 688-1545

The 1996 Chardonnay Marcella's Vineyard (named after his wife) is an excellent, nearly outstanding wine with wonderful purity, copious amounts of buttery tropical fruit, nicely-integrated toasty oak, adequate acidity, and lemon butter/orange blossom notes for additional complexity. The texture is succulent, and the wine delicious. It should drink well for several more years.Tel. (805) 688-1545; Fax (805) 686-1130