Chardonnay Wine

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

The estate of Isabelle and Denis Pommier was founded in 1990 when the Pommiers, a young couple at the time, decided to take over two hectares of their family’s land to produce their own wines.  Since the beginning, there has always been a strong respect for the land and the unique terroirs of the region, and sustainable farming techniques – lutte raisonnée - were used. Over the years,  emboldened by the qualitative gains resulting from working more naturally in the vineyards, the Pommiers transitioned to organic viticulture. The red lady bug on their bright yellow labels signifies this commitment. 

The 2023 Chablis is a round, attractive, rich and fleshy wine and a wonderful expression of cool climate Chardonnay.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Vinous 92 Points |   A burst of savory reduction slowly blows off the 2022 Chardonnay La Combe Verte to reveal a deeply seductive blend of wildflowers and sage, giving way to nectarines and candied ginger. This is surprisingly weighty in feel, communicating a level of prominence balanced by a core of juicy acidity. Flinty minerality adds depth to its core of ripe pears and green melon. The 2022 leaves a pretty inner sweetness while cleaning up remarkably well with traces of candied lime that linger. The La Combe Verte punches well above its price.  Drinking 2024 - 2027.

Wine Description

Winemaker Description 

This bright and balanced wine perfectly reflects the cool-climate Russian River Valley vineyards where it was grown. Brilliant medium-gold color, with honey, pear, apple, pineapple, lemon oil, and white flowers aromas, and a judicious framing of vanillin oak. The wine opens with crisp pineapple and mango fruit flavors that turn into apple pastry on the full-bodied mid-palate.

A finely-textured, invigorating mouthfeel, with medium acidity, turns into saline minerality on the lively and bouncy finish of this delicious Chardonnay. Pairs perfectly with oyster po' boys with fennel, apple, and celery root slaw and chunky corn, bacon, and cauliflower chowder

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Clive Pursehouse writes:  Rich depth from this Central Coast Chardonnay made by California icons Calera. The aromatics show rich nutmeg, lemon cream, and cardamom spice, giving way to a palate that balances richness and depth with an elegant fruit profile. Grilled pineapple, honeyed apricot, and spiced pear are met with salinity-driven sea spray mineral notes.  Drinking 2024 to 2028.  - Decanter 90

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  Starting with the 2022 Chardonnay Central Coast, this comes from a mix of sites and spent 10 months in 10% new oak. Its vivid gold hue is followed by a solid nose of stone and apple-like fruits, as well as some background spicy, brioche-like nuances. This medium-bodied, concentrated, textured Chardonnay is clean, balanced, and impeccably made.  - Jeb Dunnuck 90

MaryAnn Worobiec writes:  Generous pineapple, guava and lemony citrus notes are juicy and bright in this version, with plenty of intensity. Accents of lemon blossoms and candied orange peel linger, with a hint of white tea. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator 

Billy Norris writes:  The 2022 Chardonnay Central Coast comes from a blend of Edna Valley, San Benito and Monterey sites. It’s a rich, forward white with lots of richness but also a bracing structure. Toasted hazelnut, apricot, lemon zest, petrol and slate build in the glass, pressing onward through the voluptuous, mouth-coating finish. It trails away quickly with a kiss of heat, but this is a solidly enjoyable appellation-level offering in a tough year.  Drinking 2024 to 2029.  - Vinous 90

Winery Notes

In 1975, legendary vintner and pioneer Josh Jensen founded Calera (Spanish for “lime kiln”) high in the Gavilan Mountains of California’s majestic Central Coast. In the four decades since, Calera has helped establish the Central Coast as one of the New World’s most exciting wine regions, while earning acclaim as one of California’s iconic wineries. Sourced from some of the appellation’s finest vineyards, the Calera Central Coast Chardonnay has become a benchmark for the region, balancing lush richness with beautiful minerality and bright citrus flavors.

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.

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.

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.

Winemaker Description 

Frontera Chardonay is a full-bodied white wine with a smooth, creamy texture. It has a bright golden hue and a nose of ripe apples, pears, and tropical fruits. On the palate, it has a rich, buttery flavor with notes of citrus, honey, and vanilla. 

The finish is long and lingering, with a hint of oak. This Chardonay is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual dinner with friends or a special occasion. It pairs well with seafood, poultry, and creamy cheeses. Its smooth texture and balanced flavor make it a great choice for sipping on its own. 

Tasting Notes: Frontera Chardonay has a bright golden hue and a nose of ripe apples, pears, and tropical fruits. On the palate, it has a rich, buttery flavor with notes of citrus, honey, and vanilla. The finish is long and lingering, with a hint of oak.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Erin Brooks of the Wine Advocate writes 93 Points | The 2020 Chardonnay Willamette Valley was matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak. It has youthful aromas of yellow peach and apples, cashews, toast and creamy undertones. The medium-bodied palate features generous, layered flavors delivered in an alluringly creamy texture. It has a foil of bright acidity and a long, energetic finish.  Drinking 2024 - 2034.

Audrey Frick of JebDunnuck.com writes 91 Points |  The 2020 Chardonnay Willamette Valley is fresh with aromas of crushed oyster shell, lime zest, and pear. The palate is medium-bodied, with ripe green apple on the mid-palate, a mineral texture, and refreshing citrus peel on the finish. It is delicious now, with an Old World Chablis-inspired application. Drink it now or over the next 6 or so years.  Drinking 2022 - 2028.

Winemaker Description 

This crisp, mouthwatering bottling is a blend of Excelsior’s three best Chardonnay blocks. It displays lively flavors of green apple, citrus, and pineapple on a full, creamy palate. Traces of peach, orange blossom and delicate toasty notes combine with a mineral edge to round out this versatile everyday sipper, a consistent crowd pleaser. 

Winemaker Description 

The 2023 Pouilly-Fuissé has a brilliant pale yellow color. Its floral nose evokes scents of acacia and honeysuckle. Round and ample on the palate, it reveals aromas of yellow fruits.

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 

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 

Woodbridge Buttery Chardonnay offers rich, creamy and more buttery profile than our much loved, classic Chardonnay. Flavors of golden delicious apple & tropical fruit, complemented by notes of brown spice and toasty vanilla aromas distinguish this wine. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. This wine is a blend of Central Coast and Russian River Chardonnay grapes. This blend has produced a very lush and complex wine. Baron Herzog Chardonnay displays notes of tropical fruit, citrus, and apple, with a hint of vanilla on the finish.

Kosher for Passover. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

Allan Meadows writes:  There is good Chablis typicity present in the form of iodine, seashore and petrol along with citrus zest top notes. The delicious, vibrant and precise middle weight flavors flash good minerality on the clean, dry and saline-inflected finish. This is very good for its level and worth considering.  - Allen Meadows’ Burghound 🖤 Outstanding Top Value!

Neal Martin writes:  The 2023 Chablis Village was assembled for my visit by Didier Picq from 10 vats. It has an attractive if light bouquet with apple blossom and fresh pear aromas. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, a little creaminess towards the finish. This will drink well for 4-6 years.  - Vinous 

Julia Harding MW writes:  Pure, tense, restrained citrus but more marked by crushed stones than fruit. Pure, light-bodied, with a chalky finish. Relatively Great Value.  - Jancis Robinson 16

Winemaker Description 

Quintessential Chablis full of flinty seashell essence. Steely, focused and mineral-laden. Extremely age-worthy.

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.

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 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.

Winemaker Description

At the heart of a river junction at a special estate in California lies McManisFamily Vineyards, where five generations of family farmers have perfected the art of growing fruit with outstanding depth of flavor. McManis Family Vineyards' winemaking team then crafts that fruit into beautiful wines for everyday enjoyment.
This Chardonnay showcases bright aromas of pear, melon, and peach. The palate is driven by notes of stone fruit, banana, vanilla, and a hint of buttered popcorn.

Rich and decadent, this Chardonnay can be enjoyed on its own or with a delicious meal.

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 

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 

The nose is fresh with aromas of honeysuckle and citrus fruit. This medium bodied California Chardonnay is food-friendly with bright acidity and creaminess on the palate. Ripe pear, lemon curd, and vanilla flavors lead to a clean and lively finish. 

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 

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. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

90 Points Wine Spectator | Impressive for the bright, fresh core of pineapple, honeysuckle and tangerine flavors, with a touch of dried lemon zest and green cardamom on the finish.

Winemaker Description 

Produced in a vintage that brought us intensely concentrated fruit, the 2020 Chardonnay is lush and bright, inviting you in with warm notes of baked apple, pear and honeysuckle. Expansive across the palate with hints of lemon chiffon and apricot, the 2020 vintage enjoys a rich and unctuous finish of warm vanilla and brioche. 

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. 

Winemaker Description

Savvy, succulent, salubrious and scintillating sums up our oak-less Chardonnay. Just picked apples, wildflowers and apricots fill your senses. Flavors of young peaches, juicy pineapple, citrus, white figs and hints of flint lace your palate. Complex, balanced and ready for a party of one or one hundred. 

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.