The 2005 Chardonnay Reserve Speciale was absolutely brilliant. At ten years of age, this wine was showing fabulous intensity, freshness and vigor. A stunning nose of lemon butter, honeysuckle, caramelized citrus and melons jump from the glass of this full-bodied wine of great purity, denseness and richness. This is a stunner and a profound Chardonnay at age ten. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Rich and satisfying this opulent Chardonnay dazzles with sheer deliciousness. Master winemaker Richard Arrowood has pulled out all the stops on this Burgundian-style wine. The flavors of pineapple custard lemon meringue green apple butter crème brûlée and gingersnap cookie are balanced by perfect acidity. This is by far Arrowood's greatest Chardonnay in recent memory." (05/08) And according to Robert Parker: "The 2005 Chardonnay Reserve Speciale is an elegant almost Chablisian style of Chardonnay...The wine displays lemon blossom nectarine and guava notes intermixed with some subtle wood and fresh acidity in a medium to full-bodied finish." (12/07)