Nickel and Nickel was established in 1997 by the partners of Far Niente, one of the most high-end wineries in all of Napa Valley. They are intent on producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines that express the individual vineyard. They have vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma and somehow, we were lucky enough to be sent their newly released samples. With limited bickering, we divvied up the bottles and tried out their wine. Here’s what we found…

2009 Nickel and Nickel Chardonnay, Truchard Vineyard, Napa Valley($48 online at NickelandNickel.com)

A beautiful pale gold hued and a quintessential California chardonnay aroma of butter, apple, pear, oak and pineapple. Truchard is located in the Carneros region of Napa and the wine is aged in French oak barrels (45 percent new). It’s a lovely, medium-bodied weight, a creamy texture with a touch of acidity and a medium finish. If you love California chards for all they embody, you’ll revel in the pleasant, food-friendly, well-crafted chard-iness.
~Libby Volgyes

2008 Nickel and Nickel Syrah, Darien Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($50 at NickelandNickel.com)
My 2008 Nickel & Nickel Syrah from Darien Vineyard in Russian River Valley was a real treat. The wine is an intense magenta color in the glass and smells of dark fruits like wild blackberry, blueberry and plum with hints of spice, earth and toasted oak. On the palate it’s a medium/full-bodied wine with amazing balance. Even without much time in a decanter, the wine was smooth and ready to drink with tannins that were just there enough to let you know they mean business but without taking over the lovely fruit component. It’s a really impressive wine and a great example of the varietal’s potential in northern California.
~Gwen Berry

2008 Nickel & Nickel Merlot, Suscol Ranch, Napa Valley ($46.99 at Total Wine, and $50 on winery website at nickelandnickel.com)

This is one bottle to covet.

The aroma was just heavenly. No. Make that earthly. Like a mixed bouquet of berries, stems and wildflowers just picked from a field. Luscious raspberry and plum were painted lightly with mint.

A juicy medley of red and black berries hits you right up front, and quickly thereafter you taste the woodsy and herbal component, thanks in part to the effect of 16 months aging in French oak. It had layers of rich flavors, which were strong on the palate yet very well-balanced and silky. And it finished the same way — exuberant and elegant, with a light kick of tart cherry on the back of the tongue.

A real soother and pleaser, and a bottle share with the soothing, pleasing people in your life.
~Jennifer Podis

2009 Nickel & Nickel Medina Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($27 online; $39.99 ABC Liquors) –

On the nose, this pretty pale yellow chard had a light citrus scent, and some grapefruit. On taste, I got some unripened pears with some minerals, and a flowery note. It was fairly dry and acidic, the oakiness is minor, and there’s no buttery taste to this chard.
~Lynn Kalber

2008 Nickel & Nickel Harris Vineyard Merlot, Napa Valley ($50 online at NickelandNickel.com)

What beautiful labels these wines have, gold and green with Art Noveau-inspired graphics. While a good-looking label isn’t everything, it’s makes a nice first impression. The Harris merlot was in sync with that first impression. On the nose, it had a slightly earthy quality, more than other merlots, with ripe cherries bursting out. It’s a beautiful, deep purple wine with slight tannins, and tastes of big cherries, some currants, a little woody (in a good way) and a slight spice note. It’s got a really nice medium-finish and reminded me of why I love merlots.
~Lynn Kalber