Chardonnay Wine

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

93 Points Robert Parker | The 2020 Chardonnay was released in October 2022. As usual, it's a non-malolactic fermentation wine, matured in a relatively small proportion of new French oak, and so it reveals hints of apple, tangerine and lime on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it's sappy, a bit linear and vibrant on the palate, finishing crisp and long.

Producer Description 

Bright gold in the glass, the wine opens with green apple, honeysuckle and orange blossom. The citrus in particular seems to be most evident, as lime leaf and lemon zest at this stage. This vintage was more classic rather than overly ripe, so it's not surprising. There's a hint of fresh wood and vanilla as well, adding some nuance without overshadowing the beautiful floral character. The parade of citrus marches on, although the midpalate turns more tropical with starfruit and pineapple. And while there's still plenty of green apple, the texture and juiciness of Asian pear adds complexity and depth. The acid is consistent and winds its way through the profile, lifting the texture and balancing the suppleness from barrel. This will be a long-lived wine. The transition to the finish is still somewhat abrupt due to the wine's youth and dynamism. This will change over time. But here, the character is dominated by lemon curd and pie crust, along with chalk and fresh apricot. The acid is still mouthwatering, although it has mellowed somewhat. Despite its young age, the overall length of this Chardonnay is impressive.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Wine Spectator | Harmonious and buttery this white features creamy lemon peach baking spice and sweet butter flavors. Well-balanced and integrated this is very approachable now yet with vibrant acidity underneath and a lingering tangy mineral-laced finish. Best from 2025 through 2038.

B.S.Burghound 91 Points |There are vague Chablis-like hints of iodine and seashore to the ultra-fresh aromas of green apple white flower and citrus peel. There is both good volume and richness to the focused and moderately powerful flavors that deliver fine length on the mineral-driven appealingly dry and youthfully austere finale. At present the mid-palate isn't especially dense though I suspect that with age it will flesh out significantly. (Drink starting 2030).

Winemaker Description 

Magnificently concentrated, a very fine nose with aromas of acacias, honeysuckle blossoms and nuts. Very pure and powerful with superb depth that will age up to 10 years.
Serve with shellfish, lobster, foie gras and poultry dishes in creamy sauces.

Domaine Antonin Guyon is one of the most prestigious estates in the Côte d’Or, as well as one of the largest family-owned wineries in the region. It was started in the 1960s by Antonin Guyon with parcels of land in Gevrey and Meursault. Today, the massive 47 hectare property is controlled and operated today by Antonin’s sons, Dominique and Michel and produces wines of impeccable quality from 15 different appellations, which includes many renowned villages from the region. An exceptional range of Premier and Grands Crus.

WINEMAKING & VINTAGE NOTES

The Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru vineyards straddle the communes of Pernard Vergellesses and Aloxe-Corton and enjoy a south westerly exposure. The soil here is white marl, and almost pure limestone. Grapes are hand-harvested and then carried to the winery in small boxes, where they are sorted. Fermentation is carried out at 64-68°F in oak casks. Lees are stirred in the casks twice a week. Wines are aged in 50% new French oak. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Rich, creamy flavors of pear and butterscotch with a delicate touch of oak.

Enjoy with jumbo prawns or roasted chicken. Serve chilled. 

Crafted from Chardonnay grown on the chalky and clay-limestone soils of Festigny, this Brut Nature Champagne is vinified and matured partially in large oak foudres, allowing texture and depth to develop without masking purity. The nose is clean and refined, revealing subtle notes of fresh apple, lemon zest, white flowers, and a gentle hint of toasted almond from oak aging.

On the palate, the wine is precise and energetic, driven by vibrant acidity and a finely integrated mousse. Flavors of citrus, green pear, and almond are layered with a delicate saline edge and restrained woody nuance. With zero dosage, the finish is long, focused, and mineral, highlighting the natural expression of Chardonnay and the craftsmanship of Christophe Mignon.

Elegant, structured, and deeply expressive, this Champagne is an excellent choice for lovers of terroir-driven, low-intervention wines and pairs beautifully with shellfish, seafood, or simply enjoyed on its own as a contemplative aperitif.

Has a pale yellow colour with pale green hues. Its rich nose reveals aromas of honey, acacia and almond. 

Backed by fine acidity, this wine leaves a slightly saline finish that will leave your taste buds salivating.

Pairing Notes:  Aperitif, charcuterie, shellfish and fish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Vinous 92 | The 2023 Chablis La Boissonneuse has another generous and well-defined bouquet with Clementine and peach skin, just a hint of candy floss and spice. Quite mercurial in the glass. The palate is taut and fresh with a fine bead of acidity. Sapid in the mouth with plenty of extract and umami sensation on the finish. This should be on your shopping list. Rated 90-92

Allen Meadows Burghound 90 Points |  In contrast to the Les Plantes, here the expressive nose is quite fresh with its notes of just sliced citrus, green apple and enough typicity to be convincing. There is excellent vibrancy to the sleek and well-defined flavors that display good length on the youthfully austere and highly refreshing finish. This isn't however especially complex so a few years of keeping are recommended. Rated: 87-90

Expert Review

96 Points Decanter, Clive Pursehouse: This is quite the Chardonnay from Brianne Day and the renowned Eola Springs Vineyard in the best Chardonnay appellation in America. Winemaker Brianne Day chose three different blocks and three different cones: Hyde Wente, Mount Eden and Chardonnay 96 (a Dijon clone). She picked the Hyde Wente and Mount Eden early for structure and acid, and the Dijon 96 was picked later to flesh out the palate with riper fruits. Captivating lemon curd aromas and rich, honeyed apricots are followed by almond pastry cream - dollops of rich lemon cream, ripe peach fuzz, and rich apricot flesh.

Winemaker Notes

I have been wanting to work with another stellar Chardonnay site and was delighted to have the opportunity to purchase fruit from this gorgeous vineyard in the Eola Amity Hills. In an effort to get to know the vineyard well, I chose three different blocks and three different clones; Hyde Wente (California heritage clone), Mount Eden (another Cali heritage clone) and Chardonnay 96 (a Dijon clone). The Hyde Wente and Mount Eden were picked a little earlier for the structure and acid and the Dijon 96 a little later for some stone fruit and riper fruit. The wine is lively, lithe, and has a fairly solid mineral structure with a supple and glossy mid palate. Lemon curd, peaches, river stones, lime zest, sweet orange, honeysuckle and a hint of pastry all come to mind. - Winery

Expert Review.

The Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | It is the 57th 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.

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | Fragrant and refreshing, this sleek version offers appealing flavors of green apple, Meyer lemon and yeast roll. Finishes bright, with acidity.

Winemaker Description 

Blanc de Blancs (white from whites), made from Chardonnay, is the counterpart to the Blanc de Noirs (white from blacks), made from Pinot Noir. Blanc de Blancs was the first wine Schramsberg produced in 1965 and was America's first commercially produced Chardonnay-based brut sparkling wine. Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs gained international recognition in 1972 when then President Nixon served the wine at the historic "Toast to Peace" in Beijing, China.

The Schramsberg style of Blanc de Blancs is dry and crisp. Small lots of barrel fermented wines, some of which complete malolactic fermentation, are added to stainless-steel fermented wines to create added complexity in the blended base wine. After undergoing a second fermentation in bottle, the wine then ages on its yeast lees for about two years prior to disgorgement. With its vibrant, fruitful and focused nature, this sparkling wine will maintain its freshness, structure and refined finish for many years, even decades following its initial release.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | This is the flagship Chardonnay produced by Domaine Anderson. It is a glimpse into the winemaking style of the house, highlighting the cool climate, sunshine and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The nose conveys pithy apple, youthful nectarine and butterscotch candy. The palate intensifies these notes, along with high acidity, minerals, cinnamon and a mouthwatering finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Made from estate-grown, certified organic vineyards, including three single-vineyard designates (Navarro-Fairhills, Walraven, and Dach), the 2021 Chardonnay Estate is a light-bodied white that is tangy in acidity and fresh citrus notes, expertly showcasing both the cool-climate region and coolness of the vintage, one of the earliest harvests on record in the Anderson Valley. Meyer lemon and a twist of lime highlight the aromatic profile, with more lemon developing on the palate as a nice complement to the green and Golden Delicious apple flavors.

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | With sleek notes of lemon, pear and yuzu alongside racy acidity, this pops out of the glass, finding wonderful harmony with the grace notes of white pepper and vanilla custard, plus a hint of salted butter shortbread on the finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.

Winemaker Description 

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | While this wine is currently quiet, it shows a lot of promise. Mouthwatering and long on the palate, it offers attractive citrus pith, delicate white flowers and fresh almonds.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The colour is a beautiful pale gold with green highlights. The nose is floral and elegant, with hints of ibiscus and pleasant apricot. The palate is rich and smooth, with aromas of creamy caramel and a magnificent mineral and saline finish.

Winemaker Description 

Daniel-Etienne Defaix's commitment to extraordinarily long aging, organic farming, and natural fermentations puts him well outside the region's mainstream, but his deeply expressive late-released wines are Chablis to their core. In generations past, long aging in Chablis was more the rule than the exception, but today Danny is virtually alone in that practice.

The Defaix family—one of the oldest winegrowing families in the region—owns thirty hectares of vines, the vast majority of which are in premier and grand cru vineyards, but Danny designates only his best lots each vintage as cru-level, declassifying the remainder as villages.

Astonishingly, he bottles these cru-level wines only after eight to ten years of aging in tanks, therein undergoing a slow natural settling which prevents the need for filtration. Long aging, however, is not the only way in which Defaix distinguishes himself. He relies exclusively on naturally occurring yeasts—a rare practice in Chablis—and his fermentations routinely last between three and six weeks (inoculating gets it done in four-to-six days), with malolactic fermentation sometimes requiring two years to finish in his frigid cellar.

Les Lys is a tiny five-hectare cru of which Defaix owns three and a half hectares, all in a southeast-facing section called Clos du Roi—effectively a monopole of the domaine. Its poor soils of pure Kimmeridgian limestone produce perhaps the most complete and distinctive wine in Defaix’s cellar. Combining some of the power of the “Vaillon” with the chalky intensity of the “Côte de Lechet,” “Les Lys” ratchets up the aromatic complexity of the previous two, yet comes across as pure and harmonious.

The palate offers ample richness, yet a sense of tension keeps it from feeling opulent, and the chiseled finish offers a strong sensation of dry extract.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

James Suckling 93 Points | An enticing but well-balanced wine that combines a super-creamy texture with vivid tropical fruit, poached pears and baking spices. It's all barrel-fermented in about 30% oak and shows the characteristic toast, dough and light butter notes of an excellent chardonnay. Affordable for the quality. Drink now or hold.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Ryder Estate Chardonnay is bright, focused and elegant. Tropical and citrus aromas lead into flavors of pear, stone fruit and apple with a hint of vanilla. Pairs perfectly with baked mac & cheese, grilled romaine Caesar salad and celebrating after a satisfying day of kayaking on the river.

Winemaker Description 

Patrick Piuze- a Montreal native- took the region by storm when he arrived over decade ago. He worked for Leflaive, Jean-Marc Brocard and Jean-Marie Guffens before starting his own label in 2008, and has very quickly come to be counted among the legendary names of the region. He works with purchased fruit, and his great relationships with the growers of Chablis have allowed him access to choice parcels in all of the great sites. The village level "Terroir" series wines are fermented and aged mostly in old stainless steel tanks that are not temperature controlled. 

"...the only thing truly original in the world of wine is the underlying terroir and I have nothing else interesting to add. Anyone can copy anyone else’s techniques so what else is there to make great wines? I believe the answer is simple: Terroir. I want to work only with the fruit from old vines and even then, only old vines that are planted exclusively within the original boundaries of Chablis. If I respect these things, it will be almost impossible to make bad wine.” —Patrick Piuze

The 2024 Terroir de Chablis is 100% Chardonnay from two parcels, both north-facing, very near to 1er Cru Montmains. Fermented and aged in tank (no oak). Juicy mandarin and expressive stone fruit aromas and flavors on the nose and palate. 

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

NOW by Paxton stands for 'Natural Organic Wine.' As leaders in organic production, Paxton wanted to create a Biodynamic and USDA Certified Organic natural wine with no added preservatives in a young, drink 'now' style of Chardonnay.

A fruit salad of native finger lime, pear d'Anjou, with wild spearmint, elderflower and a touch of tarragon. Bright and bouncy like jumping for the clouds on a backyard trampoline. This Chardonnay sits up straight but has a sneaky scrumptious and vibrant feel once allowed to relax. Drink NOW.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

A fresh and engergetic Chardonnay that expresses the true character of Burgundy’s signature white grape variety. Perron de Mypont Chardonnay is sourced from selected vineyard parcels in the classic Chardonnay areas of the Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, and Chablis. 

To ensure elegance and delicacy in the wine, the grapes were picked at optimal ripeness during cool mornings early in the harvest. Following fermentation, the wine was matured for nine months in used French oak barriques and 600-liter demi-muids to develop texture and complexity, while maintaining freshness. T

he finished wine is rounded and well balanced, with an aroma of white fruits and delicate flowers atop a fine mineral structure.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

The skills and know-how at Prosper Maufoux have been at the service of a wide range of Burgundian appellations since 1860. Whether they are regional appellations or Grand Crus, the firm remains equally exacting in terms of vine tending techniques, grape quality, vinification and maturing; always aiming at getting the very best from each terroir.

VINIFICATION

Direct Press – Thanks to our pneumatic presses, we carry out slow pressing. Only the first presses of our highest quality batches are selected for the final blend. Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Second fermentation and ageing : The second fermentation, which takes place inside the bottle, is generated by the addition of yeasts and sugar. The wines are then aged on their lees between 12 and 15 months.

VARIETALS: 40% Chardonnay ; 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay
APPELLATION: AOC Crémant de Bourgogne – Traditional Method Sparkling Wines
ALCOHOL: 12.0%

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Pale gold color
AROMA: The nose is fruity with notes of exotic fruits and citrus.
FLAVOR: Expresses white flowers and pastries.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Vinous 94 Points | The 2022 Chardonnay Alta Historic Rows originates from Gualtallary and Villa Bastías, Uco Valley vineyards. It was aged up to 14 months in a combination of new and used barrels. Yellow in hue with a golden sheen. The floral nose presents appealing green apple, cedar, and nut aromas with hints of fennel and quince in the background. On the palate, it has a creamy, chalky texture and tart acidity resulting in a taut, refreshing mouthfeel. A well-crafted Chardonnay that sums up the advantages of high-altitude vineyards. 

James Suckling 94 Points |  Pie crust, smoked pineapple, lemon curd and zesty citrus on the palate. Medium-bodied, showing fresh, creamy fruit and a lengthy finish. Drink or hold.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 91 Points | This full-bodied, round and buttery chardonnay has notes of baked apples, toast and brown butter. Ripe, soft and generous. 

Winemaker Description 

A fresh, youthful and textured Chardonnay with flavors and aromas of pear, floral, white peach, citrus, baking spices and honey.

This versatile wine can be enjoyed as an aperitif with a triple crème or Humboldt Fog goat cheese, or to accompany entrées such as fresh seafood risotto, mussels in white wine sauce, or chicken piccata.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Michael Alberty of the Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | I'm a Kansas kid, so I'm a sucker for a sunflowers. The juice inside this bottle, however, is what will make me buy it again. The Sunflower offers aromas of lemon, rosemary and a wee bit of butterscotch. A rich texture and lemon curd and brioche flavors are counterpointed by tangy acidity. Pour with The Wizard of Oz.

Eric Guido OF Vinous writes 92 Points | Honeyed flowers, green melon, chamomile and hints of gingery spice waft up from the 2021 Chardonnay The Sunflower. Soothingly round, this impresses with its depths of ripe pit fruits and candied citrus tones, all perfectly offset by a salty tinge of minerality. The 2021 leaves a cheek-puckering freshness and minty herbal tones, finishing with staining length and freshness.  Drinking 2024 to 2028.  - Vinous 92

James Suckling writes 91 Points | A refreshing and citrusy chardonnay with notes of lemons, baking spices and some blanched almonds. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Focused and well-made, with a delicious finish. Drink now. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 92 Points | Very snappy and crisp on first sip, this gains depth and complexity in toasted almonds and butter as it opens. Alive with crisp apples, lemon zest and a mineral tang that gives a very lively texture and great balance. Medium-bodied. Blended from 60 sites in the region, it was partially barrel fermented.

Winemaker Description 

Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc Les Sétilles (family garden) has become one of the most popular items in the entire Frederick Wildman portfolio. Year in/ year out this wine represents impeccable quality and unsurpassed value in the French wine category. This wine exceeds expectations of even the most discriminating of palates.

Les Sétilles is sourced from vineyards within the communes of Puligny Montrachet and Meursault, with each village representing roughly half of the final blend. Grapes are sourced from multiple plots within each village in an effort to maximize complexity of the final wine.

Vintage consistency is the goal with this wine so the blending of lots and aging technique will vary according. Roughly 60% of the wine is aged in Allier oak, only 10% of which is new. The remaining 40% of the wine is aged in stainless steel to preserve clean varietal character.

Expert Review

James Suckling by Andrii Stetsiuk 96 Points |  Joyful and juicy but also concentrated and very precise, this is a stunning cool-climate chardonnay. Brimming with sliced pear, white peach and white flower aromas. The delicate oak is already beautifully integrated on the mouth-filling yet only medium-bodied palate. Then comes a wave of toasted hazelnut flavor in the very long and super-silky finish. Drink from release.

Producer Description 

• 100% Chardonnay
• The Knoll, Lahoma Vineyard
• small sandstone hill
• Umbrella training system – results in more shading
• Cold soak overnight
• Fermented in 3 French oak large format puncheons
• Aged 10 months in the puncheons, stirred regularly
• 13% abv

As a Harvard educated Economist, Kelby made the unusual transition to wine in pursue of his passion. He also brought with him his deep love for music as a way to inspire his winemaking approach. For well over a decade, he patiently perfected his art while working at another winery. Finally in 2023, Kelby and his also-winemaker wife Julia, embarked on the adventure of their dreams and launched Apollo’s Praise. Despite the wait, the musical influence is as strong as it has ever been. Every bottle suggests an unusual pairing. Turn the bottle around to find a recommended song to listen to while enjoying a glass!

Kelby and Julia produce complex, yet approachable wines by carefully merging art and science. Every single one of them is the reflection of vintage variation, site specificity and unique varietal characteristics. Unsurprisingly, critics regard their highly-sought-after Lahoma Vineyard series as some of Finger Lakes’ best wines.

Apollo’s Praise philosophy in Kelby’s and Julia’s words: “The Best Wines are Art. They are an expression of culture and speak to where they come from, when they come from, and who they come from.”

Expert Review

Burghound Allen Meadows 93 Points | Much more layered aromas are comprised by notes of wet stone, citrus confit, Granny Smith apple and pretty spice wisps. The dense but sleek and highly energetic larger-bodied flavors display impressive power and length on the compact, austere and impeccably balanced finale. This is excellent and a wine that is built to repay extended keeping.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Alain Meadows of Burghound writes 95 Points |  Here too the beautifully layered nose is decidedly cool with its more citrus-suffused aromas of green apple, wet stone and crushed fennel. The more refined, if slightly less concentrated, medium weight flavors flash an almost pungent minerality on the beautifully textured, bone-dry and sneaky long finale. This chiseled effort will need at least a few years of cellaring first as it's quite tightly wound today.  - Burghound 95 ♥️

Winemaker Description

The wine has a brilliant light straw color with beguiling aromas that scream chardonnay such as Gravenstein apple, wild sage, and Meyer lemon. The flavors are bright and racy with a beautiful array of apple, tarragon, nuts, lemongrass and a lovely richness that remains fresh and lifted. The wine is complex, inviting, seductive, and vibrant all with a long lingering finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

91 Points Wine Enthusiast| The wine's dominant tart pineapple aroma is tempered by bursts of brown sugar and chalkboard dust. The tropical theme continues on the palate, with tangerine, coconut and orange-cake flavors gliding along a creamy texture. This is a lighter bodied Chardonnay with energetic acidity and a nice finish.

Winemaker Description 

A blend of chardonnay from select Willamette Valley vineyards chosen for complexity, fermented and aged in small French oak barrels for depth and longevity.