Here are the favorites from a recent tasting of $30-ish California Chardonnays. The trick in this category — at least, for me — is for the wine to offer richness balanced with some brightening acidity!

Cambria 2007 Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bench Break Vineyard ($25). Aromatic peach and pear flavors are laced with vanilla bean, toast, baking spices and a touch of citrus. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Carmel Road 2007 Chardonnay Arroyo Seco Clark Ranch ($35). Very nice — possibly the best of the tasting! — with smoky caramel aromas introducing pear, fig, hazelnut and sweet spices, finishing with a bracing, focused lemon zest note. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

La Crema 2007 Chardonnay Los Carneros ($30). Starts slow and oak-driven, with muted fruit aromas and flavors, then builds to pretty pear and stone fruit, finishing with some tropical citrus touches and rich cream and spices. Could use a bit more time in the bottle. Best from 2010 to 2014. Locate this wine online or in your area.

La Crema 2007 Chardonnay Russian River Valley ($30). Offers an appealing brightness and clarity to the ripe pear and apple fruit that floats over the creamy, oaky base. Stays juicy and rich through the finish, picking up spice and creamy vanilla along the way. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Sbragia Family Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay Dry Creek Home Ranch ($26). Lovely stuff, striking a nice balance between ripeness and elegance — with pretty pear and honeysuckle aromas and flavors playing against ripe tropical citrus and focused lemon zest, with spice and roasted nuts on the long finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

ZD 2007 Chardonnay California ($34). The complexity here comes more from the fruit than the oak, with layers of pineapple, pear, apricot and lime zest, with understated floral and creamy vanilla notes on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.