Sbragia’s 2006 Chardonnay Dry Creek (from the home vineyard of 13 acres) exhibits notes of buttered citrus, minerals, and a subtle hint of oak. It is an elegant, medium to full-bodied effort with a distinctive earthiness. Enjoy it over the next several years. Ed Sbragia, the long-time and highly-esteemed winemaker at Beringer, also has his own family operation where he produces 5,000 plus cases of wine, primarily top-notch Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.Tel. 707-473-2992

Sbragia has always made top-notch Chardonnay, so it’s not surprising that one of the best values in the marketplace is the 2005 Chardonnay Dry Creek. This wine is outstanding, more restrained than most Sbragia Chardonnays, with a real terroir earthiness, elegant lemon oil and peach blossom notes, and some tropical fruit intermixed with subtle wood. In fact, the wood is not nearly as dominant as it usually is in Sbragia’s Chardonnays. The wine should drink nicely for 4-5 years. Tel. 707-473-2992

The 2004 Chardonnay Dry Creek is a ripe and fleshy. With all these wines, it must seem like Ed Sbragia must have left Beringer to start his own operation, but he’s still at Beringer, and they would be smart to keep him there given his undeniable talents. He’s been a fixture at Beringer for decades, and it speaks highly of the Beringer brain trust to allow him the flexibility to have his own label. He features mostly Chardonnay and Cabernet, but there are a couple Zinfandels and one Merlot in the portfolio.Tel. 707-473-2992

The 2003 Chardonnay Dry Creek is a fine wine. With all these wines, it must seem like Ed Sbragia must have left Beringer to start his own operation, but he’s still at Beringer, and they would be smart to keep him there given his undeniable talents. He’s been a fixture at Beringer for decades, and it speaks highly of the Beringer brain trust to allow him the flexibility to have his own label. He features mostly Chardonnay and Cabernet, but there are a couple Zinfandels and one Merlot in the portfolio.Tel. (866) 222-4342