Chardonnay Wine

New York Times

Schramsberg was one of California’s modern pioneers of sparkling wine, with 1965 as its first vintage. A lot has changed in California’s sparkling wine world since then, with many small producers now making excellent wines. But Schramsberg is still going strong. This blanc de blancs, made entirely from chardonnay, is creamy, toasty, crisp and fresh. - Eric Asimov’s New York Times Article Dec. 21, 2023

Winemaker Description

The 2021 Blanc de Blancs has lifted aromas of fresh Granny Smith apple, lemon-lime and fresh baked bread, intermingled with hints of baked pineapple and toasted almonds. Its vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon and tart apple bring drive to the mid-palate, leading to a clean, palate-cleansing finish.

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | It is the 33rd bottling of these bubbles. I hope you pick up a bottle to enjoy. This wine is bright, with aromas of Golden Delicious apple, orange blossom, acacia honey and mineral on the nose. Flavors on the palate are baked Bosc pear, mandarin orange, fresh walnut, toasted brioche and kaffir lime. The wine offers a subtle, creamy mousse, with a long, lifted and dry finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Lettie Teague writes:  This terrifically bright and tangy but also rather generously proportioned wine was sourced from several organically farmed sites.  -Wall Street Journal

Neal Martin writes:  Plenty of appealing, ripe, sun-kissed fruit on the palate but with the acidity to keep in balance. Quite different from 2021 in style, will have wide appeal but perhaps less for Chablis purists.  Drinking 2024 to 2032.  - Vinous 90

Andy Howard MW writes:  Plenty of appealing, ripe, sun-kissed fruit on the palate but with the acidity to keep in balance. Quite different from 2021 in style, will have wide appeal but perhaps less for Chablis purists.  - Decanter

Allen Meadows writes:  This is also aromatically ripe and fresh with more citrus influence to the white orchard fruit, ocean breeze and quinine-scented nose. The plump, round and delicious medium weight flavors possess a finer mouthfeel while exhibiting slightly better depth and persistence on the nicely dry if not exactly crisp finale. This too should drink well young.  - Burghound

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Winemaker Description 

Highly aromatic with flavors of grapefruit, peach, honeysuckle, lemon curd with minerality and a note of nutmeg in the background. It is round mid-palate but is zippy and bright with fresh acidity. It finishes with notes of elderberry and brioche while the creamy mouthfeel lingers.

Enjoy with perfectly seasoned roast chicken, pasta alfredo, seared scallops or baked brie en croute.

Winemaker Description 

This classic California Chardonnay has flavors of golden apple, pear, and citrus. Light and delicious, it is very versatile at the dinner table or on its own! 

Winemaker Description 

Simi California Chardonnay 2022 is a delightful wine with a refreshing taste that is perfect for wine enthusiasts looking for a high-quality, food-friendly white wine. The wine's brilliant light straw color and expressive notes of citrus, lemon peel, crème brûlée, and honey on the nose create a welcoming aroma that will entice the senses.

On the palate, this Chardonnay offers a well-balanced taste of yellow apple, lemons, roasted marshmallow, and hazelnut. The mouthfeel of this wine is exceptional, thanks to the vivid acidity that is beautifully balanced with a cool minerality on the finish. This delicious Chardonnay is perfect for pairing with a wide range of dishes, such as smoked salmon with lemon aioli and toasted brioche, spot prawns sautéed with garlic, lemon, and parsley, or a Caprese salad with ripe peach slices, basil, and fresh mozzarella.

Winemaker Description

Raeburn Chardonnay shows an array of complex fruit tones ranging from pear and Gravenstein apple to nectarine. The fruit is beautifully complemented with toasted oak, vanilla and hints of Crème Brûlée with a balanced and elegant finish.

Expert Reviews

Tasting Panel 93 Points | We've long been fans of this 100% barrel-fermented wine aged in sur lie for nine months in French and Hungarian oak, but this vintage displays a surge of aromatics and flavors that is truly impressive. Ripe pear and lemon blossom perfume the air as the luxe mouthfeel of honeyed melon caresses the tongue. Intermingling notes of wet stone, charred caramel and yellow apple connect to an arch of bright acidity. The finish is juicy, with a twist of tangerine. Anthony Dias Blue

James Suckling writes:  This shows aromas of ripe pears and pineapple with honeysuckle, toffee and cooked oranges. Creamy and mellow with a full body, ripe fruit and hints of salted butter at the end. Polished and long. Drink now or hold.  - James Suckling 91

MaryAnn Worobiec writes:  A spicy, toasty note lingers above the core of apple pastry and grilled peach, with notes of clove and nutmeg on a medium frame. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator

Clive Pursehouse writes:  A simple approach to Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley. Oak plays a prominent role in the wine's aroma and flavour profile. Aromas of butterscotch, white flower and pear tart. The palate offers spiced, baked apple, cinnamon and bruised apple flavours.  Drinking 2023 to 2025.  - Decanter 

Winemaker Description 

Sea Sun is a California Chardonnay whose character speaks to the unique coastal regions where it is sourced. Their diverse vineyard sites span several hundred miles, and even subtle differences in temperature and the strength of the wind leave their mark on the grapes.

 The result is a wine that combines some of our favorite characteristics of this varietal, with fruit flavors, oak and acidity in harmony and balance. Both lush and crisp, with scents of lemon zest and flavors of peaches and apricots, this wine suits a wide range of palates. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

Winemaker Description 

The color of the wine is bright and limpid. The nose is floral and fruity. Very straightforward and direct on the palate, as if biting into a grape. Fresh and light, with a very pleasant finish. 100% Chardonnay

Winemaker Description 

A pale gold color with an aroma of delicate overtones of bananas, peaches and pineapple. A soft balanced wine with classic New World tropical fruit. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling 93 Points | Very clean and bright white with sliced apples, ripe pears and crushed stone undertones. Medium-bodied, crunchy, flavorful, crisp and bright.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Bright yellow/green-hued, the 2023 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is bottled under screwcap and is lifted and fresh with lime, white flowers, green apples, and lemon zest. It’s fantastic on the palate, with ripe acidity, a silky, stony texture, elegant ripeness, and a cleansing finish.  A great value, it’s lovely now, but don’t feel hurried with this one.

Audrey Frick writes:  Bright yellow/green-hued, the 2023 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is bottled under screwcap and is lifted and fresh with lime, white flowers, green apples, and lemon zest. It’s fantastic on the palate, with ripe acidity, a silky, stony texture, elegant ripeness, and a cleansing finish. A great value, it’s lovely now, but don’t feel hurried with this one. Drink 2024-2029.  - Jeb Dunnuck 92

MaryAnn Worobiec writes:  An expressive version, offering a dynamic and juicy mix of peach, citrus and apple flavors, with notes of ginger, makrut lime leaf and lemon balm. Expands further on the finish, with notes of saline and lemon thyme.  - Wine Spectator 91

Erin Brooks writes:  The recently bottled 2023 Chardonnay is fresh and ester-y on the nose with scents of pears, honey and baker’s yeast. The palate is rounded and fresh with beeswax-laced fruit and a long, flavorful finish. It’s easy to drink… - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 89

Winemaker Description 

Crystalline pale straw with a faint chlorophyllic tint, the 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay opens with lifted aromas of freshly picked green apple, and is fragrantly perfumed with Meyer lemon zest, gardenia, honeysuckle, and orange blossom. On the palate, notes of Honeycrisp apple lead a well-focused palate punctuated by a burst of fresh guava. Mineral-driven, vibrant acidity accented with a flaky sea salt-like crunchiness is interlaced with a delicate creamy yet firmly structured texture. The finish is pure and clean with good tension and energy through the lingering, expressively juicy finish. 

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Bright yellow/green-hued, the 2023 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is bottled under screwcap and is lifted and fresh with lime, white flowers, green apples, and lemon zest. It’s fantastic on the palate, with ripe acidity, a silky, stony texture, elegant ripeness, and a cleansing finish. 
A great value, it’s lovely now, but don’t feel hurried with this one.

ert Review - Vintage 2023

Winemaker Description

Pale gold in color, Le Finage Chablis is fairly discreet on the nose at first, revealing notes of sweet spices (vanilla). After opening, more fruity aromas appear (pear juice) with slight vegetal and lemon hints. The palate is fresh with well-balanced acidity. The whole is simple and rich with great energy.

Drink as an aperitif or with a platter of fine charcuterie.

Expert Review - Prior Vintage - 2020 

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | Delicately fragrant with lemon verbena and pithy lemons, accompanied by hints of baby’s breath and fresh almonds. The palate reveals additional layers of broken seashell, lemongrass and white stone. An enjoyable wine with impressive length. (2020).

Winemaker Description 

A delightful medium-to-full bodied Chardonnay with excellent varietal flavors of melon and peach. The palate is soft and smooth with spice hints across the long, balanced finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 92 Points | Lots of matchstick with steel, dried apples and some Meyer lime. Medium body, with lots of flinty and intense flavors. Gunpowder. Grows on the palate. Fascinating wine.

Winemaker Description 

Lush, pure, and polished, this enticing Chardonnay offers aromas of lemon, lime, white peach, sweet tangerine, and caramel. The bright citrus layers are echoed on the full-bodied palate, where they mingle with juicy flavors of stone fruit and French oak-inspired hints of crème brûlée and spice. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Tasting Panel 93 Points | Whole cluster-pressed and fermented in French oak, this impeccably balanced wine delivers indulgent notes of lemon bar, honeyed pear, lychee, and gardenia with reined-in richness.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | The 2022 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills is a solid snapshot of Sanford's modern winemaking pure, precise and balanced. The nose is driven by pretty, straightforward orchard fruit and breakfast cereal aromas, leading to a balanced, clean palate and a refreshing finish with accents of creamy richness.

Winemaker Description 

Wine Description

Winemaker Description 

The nose exudes aromas of tropical fruits and citrus married with subtle oak notes. On the palate, this wine is a great balance of bright citrus and honey with a touch of oak character and hints of juicy peach, lemon oil, and crèmebrulée. Crafted with care so that no single flavor overpowers another, this wine is simply delicious.

Pair this medium-bodied wine with medium-bodied dishes, highlight the flavors in the wine by using butter and fresh herbs, or enjoy with lighter proteins like grilled fish or roasted chicken with fresh vegetables. 

Winemaker Description 

A rich and memorable Chardonnay with creamy notes of vanilla bean, almond and a touch of tropical fruit. Balanced acidity and savory oak lead to a long, smooth finish. 

Winemaker Description 

An initial impression of rich, buttery cream quickly turns to aromas of honey and lightly toasted almonds, followed by tropical aromas of pineapple, citrusy lemon and crème brulee. The wine is refreshing on the palate, with a minerality that is both bright and clean, drawing you into a vibrant tartness and lemon zest that is absolutely, positively Bonterra Chardonnay, vintage after vintage. 

Winemaker Description

Excellent aromatics and freshness. Comes from vines with an average age of 30 years, whose deeply flavored fruit gives its ripe apple and lemon flavors terrific intensity. A pop of bright acidity leads to a racy, minerally finish.

From three parcels – Des Couverts (village of Chablis), Prehy (near Courgis), and Lignorelles. Fermented and aged in stainless steel.

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 90 Points:  The latest rendition of Ruinart's NV Blanc de Blancs unwinds in the glass with scents of citrus zest, green apple, white flowers and fresh bread. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and incisive, with a vibrant core of fruit and brisk acids, complemented by a mouth-filling mousse, it concludes with a saline finish.

James Suckling 93 Points:  A vibrant and refreshing Champagne with a bright, enticing nose of lemon (fresh and candied) and sliced pear, as well as some floral and passion-fruit notes. Lovely balance of juicy fruit and acidity that dances nimbly across the palate. A biscuit note from lees lies in the background. Delicate, silky and finish. A blend of wines from Côtes des Blanc, Montagne de Reims and Sézanne. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator 93 Points: Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator: "Steeped apricot and candied ginger flavors are an aromatic entry for this graceful Champagne, backed by finely cut acidity and layered with accents of kumquat, toast point and salted Marcona almond. It's fresh and racy, yet there's an effortless quality to the integration that makes this hard to stop sipping. Long, minerally finish. Drink now through 2027.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Tom Capo of the Wine Enthusiast writes 91 Points | Bright, sunny aromas of citrus and buttery croissant waft from the glass of this vivacious Chardonnay. There's a bit more structure and flavors of roasted pear, vanilla crème brulee and the warmth of clove and cinnamon across a plush, textured palate that finishes with waves of barrel spice.  

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Ntsiki Biyela has an incredible history as the first female black winemaker in South Africa. Her new label, Aslina, is named in honor of her grandmother. The Chardonnay is a pale straw color and full of lush yellow fruit with minerality and brilliant acidity.

Winemaker Description 

Our Chardonnay is medium-bodied with a hint of oak. Aromas of lemon and citrus combined with flavors of apple and pear lead to a delightfully crisp finish. 

Winemaker Description 

Layered aromas and flavors. Hints of citrus on the nose, with brown spice and honeysuckle. Round and creamy, featuring notes of lemon squares and baked croissant. A refreshing, clean finish.

Taking its name from the sea and sun – the two forces of nature that shape its exotic character – this wine is as dramatic as the place where it is sourced. With morning fog, bright sunshine and gusting winds, the Santa Lucia Highlands (40 minutes south from Monterey, California) has an extended growing season. Grapes stay on the vine longer, leading to the development of intense aromas such as custard and toasted almonds, rich fruit flavors and enlivening lemon/lime.

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada | 67 Wine: The Leflaive family name boasts a long and distinguished winemaking tradition in Burgundy, making it perfectly fitting for them to extend this tradition north to Champagne. In February, I had the pleasure of tasting through the Valentin Leflaive Champagne lineup and was thoroughly impressed by each cuvée. Among my top favorites is the Valentin Leflaive Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut CV/18/30 NV 750ml, crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes sourced from the grand cru village of Cramant and the premier cru village of Vertus in the Côte des Blancs. The base vintage is 2018, with a dosage of 3g/L, as indicated by the designation CV/18/30.

Winemaker Description 

An elegant, fresh Blanc de Blancs from Valentin Leflaive that offers notes of yellow apples, candied lemons, freshly-baked bread and a clean salinity that lingers in the finish.

Winemaker Description 

The 2023 Far Niente Chardonnay enchants with a bouquet of citrus, white floral, and hints of honeydew melon and nectarine. Its silky texture and bright, refreshing palate dance with flavors of lemon/lime zest and lemon verbena, culminating in a long, juicy finish that leaves the palate yearning for more.

Winemaker Description 

Discover our flavors and tropical aromas with notes of peach, banana and wood. PeRRRfect and balanced acidity, and a long pleasant finish." This wine is perfect for any occasion. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Tom Capo of the Wine Enthusiast writes 95 Points | Bright and aromatically compelling on the nose, this Chardonnay vibrates with aromas of green apple, lemon balm, orange blossom and river rock. The palate is energetic, giving flavors of apricot and Meyer lemon peel. A massive streak of acidity rips from front to back.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | A bright yellow color, the 2022 Chardonnay Wester Reach is a textbook example of this vintage, with a lot of elegance and a wide drinking window. From the Russian River Valley and aged in 25% new oak barrels for 11 months, it takes on more glycerol richness and a rounded profile. A great wine out of the gate, it captures the sunny feel of the region, but it’s light on its feet and closes with a great finish. This is a crowd-pleaser of a wine, and I would be happy to have this on my table at any stage. Drink 2024-2032.

James Suckling 94 Points | So much Meyer lemon and apple character with some pears on the nose and palate. It’s medium-bodied. It’s like tasting out of a fermenter full of crushed must. Such unadulterated purity. A tight palate with bright acidity and lovely fruit. Drink now.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points |  The 2022 Chardonnay Wester Reach is sourced from several vineyards, including Flax (40%) and Dumol Estate (15%), and grapes were harvested from August 18–September 7. It sits low in the glass at this stage, with understated notes of peach, mushroom powder, flint and cheese rind. The light-bodied palate is soft and rounded with saline-tinged fruit and a gently flinty finish. 3,500 cases were made.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | An expressive version, offering notes of mango, nectarine and dried apricot on a succulent and fleshy frame, with juicy accents of ginger, lemon balm and orange zest lingering on the finish. Drink now. 3,500 cases made.

The Wine Independent 92 Points | Notes of juicy pears, apple sauce, and fresh nectarines pop from the glass of the 2022 Wester Reach Chardonnay, leading to wafts of honeycomb and cashews. The medium to full-bodied palate is filled with orchard fruit flavors supported by a racy backbone, finishing with a compelling tangy lift.

Winemaker Description 

Great aromatic intensity—citrus and nectarine fruits, jasmine and orange blossom, briny/flinty sea spray edges. The flavors center upon lemony green apple then deeper stone fruits with honeysuckle and ginger richness. The wine’s texture is deep, oily, and layered. Fresh mineral, grapefruit acidity cuts through the richness giving a pinpoint focus to the wine’s long echoing finish.

Winemaker Description 

Flavors of pear, apple, and ripe tropical fruit. Well-balanced with vanilla and oak notes. Pair with grilled chicken or fish.

Beringer is known for establishing many 'firsts' as leaders in the wine industry. We were one of the first gravity fed facilities and among the first to operate using hand-dug caves and cellars. We were the first to give public tours in 1934, starting a Napa Valley hospitality tradition. We are the first and only winery to have both a red and a white wine named #1 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Vinous 93 Points | The 2021 Chardonnay Cordillera de los Andes comes from the Talinay vineyard in Limarí. 50% was aged in French barrels, 23% of them new. Yellow with a greenish sheen. The nose offers green apple notes with hints of pear, acacia, hazelnuts and a whiff of praline over a bed of oak. In the mouth it has a saline feel with a slightly creamy flow and pert freshness. A long-lasting wine.

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description 

The Vitallis Pouilly Fuisse has great concentration on the nose, reflecting the old vines. Intense aromas of dried fruits, Acacia, nuts and honey. Very long in the mouth with elegant, but ripe flavors, minerality and spiciness.