($75; 37% viognier, 33% roussanne and 30% chardonnay) Medium gold. Lush and honeyed nose offers ripe peach, nectarine and apricot, with lively cinnamon and mace adding complexity. Stains the palate with ripe but restrained pit fruit flavors, picking up an exotic cinnamon toast quality on the back. Suave and silky, with outstanding finishing cling and thrust.

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The 2005 The Petition (a blend of 37% Viognier, 33% Roussanne, and 30% Chardonnay; 62% from John Alban's vineyard and 38% from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard) is more restrained than the 2006. 2005 was a cooler year, but you wouldn't know that from the glorious opulence in both the aromatics and flavors of this light golden-colored wine. Litchi nut, buttered tropical fruits, flower, and subtle wood notes soar from the glass. Rich, dry, full-bodied flavors coat the palate, but supporting underlying acidity provides superb definition to the wine's mass and intensity. This cuvee, along with its younger sibling, are among the most profound dry whites being made in California. Hopefully they will encourage more wineries to move away from varietal labeling and create blends such as these. I believe that is the future for Central Coast whites. To reiterate, it is a challenge to analyze these wines. I know they are distinctive, and I think I am beginning to understand why they are so much greater than just about every other Syrah or Grenache-based wine in California. In short, it is talent and incredibly meticulous hard work. No one works as hard or is as maniacal about a vineyard's viticulture and winemaking as Manfred Krankl. Take that, add in exceptional talent, humility, top-notch vineyards, and I believe I understand the fundamentals of why these wines are so special.

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Rich and ripe, with pineapple, peach, apricot, hazelnut and dried lemon peel flavors. Despite its richness and creamy texture, there is a backbone of acidity that keeps it light on its feet. A toasty, smoky note fills the palate on the finish. Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne.

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