| |
Search Flickinger Wine Inventory
Inventory updated: Wed, Sep 02, 2026 04:02 PM cst
Your search criteria:
Regions: USA White
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA White |
| Accendo Cellars |
2016 |
Sauvignon Blanc  |
$50 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94+ (12/2017): Composed of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque and a splash of Semillon, the 2016 Sauvignon Blanc has pink grapefruit, green mango, ripe pears and baking bread notions with touches of beeswax and crushed stones. Medium-bodied, very finely crafted and refreshing in the mouth, it has a lovely silky texture and fantastic intensity of tropical flavors with a long steely finish. |
|
|
2022 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$69.95 |
7 |
|
| |
VM 94 (12/2023): The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is fabulous, especially for a year that was so dry and warm. Light on its feet and gracious, with sublime balance, the 2022 is seriously impressive. Lemon confit, sage, tobacco, mint and dried flowers all grace this impeccable Sauvignon Blanc. Antonio Galloni.
JD 91-93 (12/2023): The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc (which is made by Francoise Peschon) includes a decent splash of Semillon, with the fruit mostly from Oakville. Bright lemon curd, honeyed white flowers, chalky minerality, and just a hint of tropical flowers all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with a clean, refreshing mouthfeel, good concentration, and a great finish. |
|
| Antica Terra |
2018 |
Aurata Chardonnay |
$175 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (12/2021): The 2018 Chardonnay Aurata is incredibly seamless and pure, its bass tones of peaches, beeswax and almonds streaked with saline character. The palate offers seamless waves of savory flavors that undulate through the mouth like satin, and it finishes with tremendous length and purity. It's simply magical! |
|
| Arrow & Branch |
2024 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$68.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Aubert |
2022 |
Eastside Chardonnay |
$144 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 97 (7/2024): Scents of toasted hazelnuts, crushed stone, pear and tangerine appear on the nose of the 2022 Chardonnay Eastside, from a chert-rich Windsor vineyard planted in 2006 to a Montrachet selection. It's full-bodied, generous and plush without being weighty, then intense and crisp on the lemon-lime finish, with echoes reminiscent of white pepper and ginger. Matured in 68% new heavy-toast French oak, it has absorbed those flavors admirably.
VM 96 (1/2024): The 2022 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard is a complex, racy wine. Oily and viscous, with a touch of reduction, the Eastside is a wonderfully complex, layered wine. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint, ripe pear and a kiss of French oak abound. This is a stellar Chardonnay from Mark Aubert. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2017 |
Sugar Shack Chardonnay |
$136 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (10/2019): The 2017 Chardonnay Sugar Shack is produced from Montrachet clone vines grown in Rutherford (Napa Valley). POW! It comes charging out of the glass, all guns blazing! Notes of lemon tart, lime cordial and preserved pineapples leap from the glass, followed by suggestions of chopped cashews, coriander seed, juniper and aniseed. Full-bodied, the palate has a seductively satiny texture and soft acidity, leading with bold, expressive stone fruit preserves and spicy layers, finishing very long and very decaden |
|
|
2022 |
UV-SL Vyd. Chardonnay |
$125 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (7/2024): The largest-production wine in the portfolio at approximately 2,300 cases, the 2022 Chardonnay UV-SL hints at powder-sugared brioche on the nose, backed by lemon-lime notes and some apple-ish fruit. From multiple rootstocks and clonal selections, it's full-bodied and expansive on the palate, generous, rich and long. Don't be fooled into thinking this is "just" the entry-level wine, it's serious stuff.
VM 95 (1/2024): The 2022 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard is a potent, driving wine. Readers should be in no rush, as the 2022 is quite reticent and in need of cellaring. Strong mineral and phenolic notes dominate, while everything else is in the background. Lemon confit, pear, ginger and white flowers open with some coaxing, but this needs time. The only question is how much. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2024 |
UV-SL Vyd. Chardonnay |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 95-97 (11/2025): The 2024 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard soars from the glass with captivating aromatics. Freshly cut flowers, slate, mint, chalk and dried herbs lend notable aromatic brightness. This tense, salivating Chardonnay is shaping up to be a jewel of wine. A bit of time in the glass brings out the wine's textural richness and overall presence. There's tremendous depth and intensity here. (Drink between 2027-2036). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Bella Oaks |
2024 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$130 |
4 |
|
| |
JD 93 (12/2025): Based on 100% Sauvignon Blanc and brought up 10 months in 20% new French oak, the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc is the first Sauvignon Blanc from this estate. Exotic lychee and subtle tropical fruits intermixed with minty white flowers define the aromatics. Medium-bodied, ripe, round, and fleshy, it shows beautiful purity and texture. Drink bottles over the coming 2-4 years. Drink 2025-2029. (Drink between 2025-2029).
VM 93 (11/2025): The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc is brisk and finely cut. Lemon peel, chalk, mint and white pepper are all beautifully delineated in the glass. This needs a few years in bottle to be at its most expressive. There's a lot to look forward to. High class. (Drink between 2027-2034). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Bennet Valley Cellars |
2016 |
Bin 5757 Sonoma Chardonnay |
$28.99 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Bergman |
2022 |
Chardonnay |
$150 |
3 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (1/2025): All varietal aged 12 months in 50% new French oak, the 2022 Chardonnay has a light gold hue as well a beautiful bouquet of ripe lemon, mint, and piney, rosemary, foresty nuances. This medium-bodied, vibrant, nicely concentrated, yet bright, almost racy Chardonnay has a singular, exotic style as well as incredible character. |
|
| Bethel Heights |
2015 |
Casteel Chardonnay |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2016 |
Justice Vyd. Estate Chardonnay |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Bevan Cellars |
2021 |
Dry Stack Vyd. Sauvignon Blanc |
$35 |
16 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (8/2022): A blockbuster of a Sauvignon Blanc, Bevan's 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Stack Vineyard comes from an Italian clone planted in gravelly soil in the Bennett Valley and is raised, I believe, in barrel. Bottled unfiltered so it has touch of haziness in its gold hue, it offers a heavenly bouquet of caramelized lemon zest, mint, orange blossom, honeyed flowers, and brioche. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, it has incredible concentration, a layered, pure mouthfeel, good freshness, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It's not for those craving lightweight aromas and flavors and has the weight and richness of a great Chardonnay. Drink this beauty over the coming 2-3 years. |
|
|
2016 |
Ritchie Vyd. Chardonnay |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (10/2018): The 2016 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard has intense pink grapefruit, guava and warm pineapple on the nose with suggestions of ginger ale and brioche. The palate is full-bodied and rich with yeasty/toasty notes, finishing very spicy and very long and layered. |
|
| Bunnell Family Cellar |
2012 |
Helene Yakima Valley White Wine |
$20 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Chandon |
NV |
Brut Classic |
$10 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Convene (Dan Kosta) |
2021 |
Russian River Valley Chardonnay |
$48.99 |
50 |
|
| |
| Decanter 98 (2/2024): Dan Kosta and Shane Finely have worked together since 2006, when Finley, at age 26, began working in the cellar at Kosta Browne. These guys are having a lot of fun with Convene, the label Kosta launched in 2019. After their entry-level bottlings, the Convene label represents the 'Premier Cru' level wines, while DK Grail is the 'Grand Cru' tier. They are unquestionably 'Holy Grail' worthy. Finley and Kosta are big fans of longer ageing and extended lees contact with their Chardonnays. We tasted in February 2024, and they'd just bottled their 2022s. Super expressive nose with wonderful ripe fruit flavours alongside butterscotch and toasty brioche. Wonderfully rich and full-bodied with plenty of salty mineral tension. Partial malolactic fermentation means the wine retains great tension, vibrancy, and freshness. Flavours run the spectrum from Meyer Lemon to apricots and white peaches. Crushed Marcona almonds are entangled in the finish, and I find this a balanced expression of California Chardonnay with the right amount of toasty richness and acidity. |
|
| Copain Wines |
2015 |
Dupratt Vyd. Chardonnay |
$39 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (4/2018): The 2015 Chardonnay DuPratt Vineyard is quite powerful and dense, but still very much within the understated style that is such a Copain signature. Pear, smoke, slate and flinty notes all flesh out in this textured, nuanced Chardonnay from Copain. The DuPratt is one of the more generous, creamy wines in the range. There is plenty of energy, but the DuPratt also has an extra kick of textural depth to balance things out. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Crossbarn (Paul Hobbs) |
2021 |
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay |
$25 |
8 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (7/2023): Pale straw-colored, the 2021 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is 90% estate fruit and has an attractive perfume of white flowers, soft, tropical mango skin, and quince. Medium-bodied, it has a rounded texture and lovely notes of honeysuckle with ripe pear and preserved citrus. This is a softly textured, supple, fresh wine to enjoy over the next few years. Audrey Frick. |
|
| Dana Estates |
2022 |
Onda Sauvignon Blanc |
$175 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| DeLille Cellars |
2018 |
Roussanne |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 93 (12/2019): Bright, pale yellow-gold. Very complex scents of stone fruits, fig and saline minerality. Wonderfully sweet and full on the palate, with flavors of apricot, citrus fruits and fig lifted by spices and peach blossom; the wine's sweetness is nicely buffered by excellent acidity and firm minerality. Made from a low crop level in 2018. This wine got about three months of lees contact but winemaker Jason Gorski does not stir the lees. And it shows noteworthy acidity for a wine with 14% alcohol on the label: Gorski told me that the pH is 3.3 at a maximum. (from Ciel de Cheval; fermented in 85% stainless steel and 15% neutral oak; this wine always goes through malolactic fermentation) (Drink between 2019-2026). Stephen Tanzer.
JD 89 (4/2020): White flowers, pear, and peach notes all emerge from the medium-bodied 2018 Roussanne, which has a rounded, supple texture, good acidity, and a clean, balanced, thoroughly enjoyable style. It will keep for 4-6 years. |
|
|
2019 |
Roussanne |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 92 (12/2020): Pale, bright yellow with a peach-skin blush. Savory if subdued scents of pear, apricot, lemongrass and musky herbs. Quite rich, broad and tactile on the palate but classically dry, displaying a softer mouth feel than the Sauvignons but plenty of balancing acidity and alcohol to maintain structure. With air, notes of apple, minerals and citrus zest emerged. A bit more laid-back than the 2018 Roussanne at a similar stage, this bottling does not show the fig note of the earlier vintage. (Drink between 2020-2026). Stephen Tanzer.
JD 91 (5/2021): This estate made a handful of terrific whites. Their 2019 Roussanne (100% Roussanne) reveals a light gold hue to go with pretty stone fruits, melon, and lemon curd-like aromas and flavors. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with a bright, nicely textured mouthfeel and a classic, dry finish that has some toasty, nutty nuances. This bottle had some trapped CO2, so don't be afraid to give bottles a decant if drinking any time soon. It's going to have a decade of longevity. |
|
|
2020 |
Roussanne |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (3/2022): The 2020 Roussanne is a beautiful new wine by the talented DeLille winemaking team and director of winemaking Jason Gorski. The nose evokes fantastic range, from banana and honeydew melon to starfruit and damp earth underpinnings. The palate is fresh, vibrant and beautifully textured. The weight really entices as layers of melon and Yakima cherry mingle with minerals and earthy tones on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has a long way to go. (Drink between 2021-2028). Owen Bargreen. |
|
|
2021 |
Roussanne |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (3/2023): The 2021 Roussanne Red Mountain is incredibly spicy, with ginger-tinged peach and hints of kiwi forming its bouquet. This soothes with its round textures while zesty acids pepper the senses with tension, complementing its ripe orchard fruits and melon tones. This tapers off long and potent with a salty flourish that lingers on and on. While not stated on the label, the 2021 is sourced entirely from 21-year-old vines from the Ciel du Cheval vineyard. (Drink between 2023-2026). Eric Guido. |
|
|
2013 |
Chaleur Estate Blanc |
$30 |
8 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (1/2020): Bright yellow. Very sexy aromas of fresh apricot, marzipan, nuts, brioche and mocha oak; revealing plenty of secondary character but no impression of tiredness. Surprisingly rich but vinous and penetrating on the palate, with its fresh yellow fruit flavors framed and enlivened by perfectly integrated acidity, a suggestion of lemon-rind piquancy and saline minerality. This racy blend is still quite firm and youthful on the back end but is already a seamless drink. It has the energy and structure to go on for another decade in a cold cellar. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2016 |
Chaleur Estate Blanc |
$30 |
16 |
|
| |
|
|
2013 |
Doyenne Roussanne |
$30 |
5 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (12/2014): Bright, gold-tinged yellow. Knockout nose offers scents of lime, kiwi, and white pepper, along with a complicating salinity. Dense and sappy but light on its feet, with terrific acidity giving cut and inner-mouth perfume to the flavors of pear, lime, honeysuckle and minerals. Really wonderful fruit intensity, structure and persistence here, as well as a sexy saline note. Chateau Beaucastel’s Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is the prototype for this wine, notes winemaker Chris Upchurch, adding that roussanne is a grape that ripens unevenly but that fruit in Ciel du Cheval Vineyard tends to show outstanding retention of acidity. By picking all the fruit for this wine in one go, DeLille can get greater complexity and a harmonious blend of disparate elements. This wine was done in stainless steel and neutral oak and went through full malolactic fermentation. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Donelan |
2015 |
Venus Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 88 (6/2019): The 2015 Venus is cut from the same cloth yet doesn’t have the texture or density of the 2014. White currants, white peach, and citrus notes as well as a touch of salty minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant, streamlined white that’s going to continue drinking nicely for another 7-8 years (probably longer). |
|
| Donum |
2021 |
Carneros Reserve Chardonnay |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (7/2023): Taking on a bit of smokiness, the 2021 Chardonnay Carneros Reserve is perfumed with incense and ripe with peach, melon, and vanilla bean. Fleshy and round, with a silky texture and notes of buttered pear and toasted sweet baking spice, it’s long on the palate and made in a ripe, fleshy style to drink over the next few years. |
|
|
2021 |
Ferguson Chardonnay |
$65 |
4 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (7/2023): The 2021 Chardonnay Ferguson has a nice balance of ripeness and freshness, with flinty reduction, fresh melon rind, and lemon curd. Medium to full-bodied, it displays good balance in its notes of almond, orange peel, and fresh pear. It retains both the sunny ripeness and sense of place of Carneros, while having a lifted and Burgundian-like appeal for its freshness and snap. Drink 2024-2030. (Drink between 2024-2030). Audrey Frick. |
|
|
2021 |
Goldfields Chardonnay |
$60 |
9 |
|
| |
| JD 90 (7/2023): A rich golden hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Goldfields was fermented in concrete and tank on the skins. Aromatic of resinous herbs, chamomile, and yellow pear, a savory tone emerges, revealing aromas of yellow apple, hay, and dried herbs. Full-bodied, with ample ripe texture and notes of apricot, ripe melon, and honeyed citrus, the finish lends a bit of almond skin texture with pithy orange. Drink this over the next several years. Audrey Frick. |
|
|
2021 |
Russian River Valley Chardonnay |
$60 |
4 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (7/2023): The 2021 Chardonnay Russian River Valley pours a youthful yellow hue with ripe tropical fresh fruit aromas as well as the delicate oak spice of vanilla bean, honeysuckle, and fresh pear. Ripe with fresh peach, honeyed yellow apple, and fresh flowers, it has an attractive silky texture and freshness throughout. Drink 2023-2028. (Drink between 2023-2028). Audrey Frick. |
|
| DuMol |
2024 |
Bressay Estate Chardonnay |
$99 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94-96 (1/2026): The 2024 Chardonnay Bressay Estate is gorgeous, complex and wonderfully dynamic in the glass. Deceptively medium in body, the 2024 has a lot going on. Crushed flowers, herbs, mint, chamomile and dried lemon peel open with some coaxing. The aromatics alone are beguiling, but everything about the 2024 exudes class. (Drink between 2027-2034). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2014 |
Chloe Chardonnay |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 95+ (3/2017): The 2014 Chardonnay Chloe Ritchie-Lorenzo Old Vines is just as exciting today as it was last year. A wine of energy, tension and breadth, the 2014 has it all. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint and peach infuse a deeply expressive, voluptuous Chardonnay that will drink well for at least a handful of years, although the explosive finish suggests a year or two in bottle is not a bad thing. Antonio Galloni.
WA 95 (3/2017): The 2014 Chardonnay Chloe gives expressive guava, pink grapefruit and pineapple notes with touches of candied ginger, praline and brioche. Medium to full-bodied with a beautifully oily texture and packed with tropical fruit flavors, it finishes long and toasty. |
|
|
2021 |
Chloe Chardonnay |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96 (7/2023): Pouring a bright medium yellow/straw hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Chloe is highly expressive, with a golden perfume of pineapple, orange oil, and a bit of honeysuckle. It has full body and a rounded texture, with ripe apricot, hazelnut, and white flowers. A lusher personality to drink over the next ten years, it’s a bit more open at this youthful stage. Audrey Frick.
VM 95 (1/2024): The 2021 Chardonnay Chloe is one of the more open-knit, voluptuous wines in this range. Soft, supple contours wrap around orange peel, butter and white flowers. Floral and sweet spice notes lend notable breadth on the finish. The Chloe is one of the first of these whites I would open. It is especially showy in this tasting. (Drink between 2025-2033). Antonio Galloni.
WA 94 (1/2023): The 2021 Chardonnay Chloe is scented of white peach, jasmine, meringue and toasted almonds with flinty streaks. The light-bodied palate has a gently grippy texture and refreshing acidity to balance its concentrated core of spicy stone fruit, and it has a long finish full of ripe fruit. |
|
|
2014 |
Clare Chardonnay |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (3/2017): The 2014 Chardonnay Clare has a white peach, preserved lemons and yuzu-scented nose with underlying touches of cedar, buttered toast and shaved almonds. The palate is bold and intensely fruited with a pleasant oiliness, yet it is medium-bodied, finishing long with lovely purity.
VM 94 (3/2017): The 2014 Chardonnay Clare Hyde Vineyard is gorgeous, but it is also tightly wound and reticent. Readers will have to be patient here. Smoke, slate, graphite, earthiness and dried herbs wrap around a core of orchard fruit. This is a decidedly virile, powerful style, but all the elements are very nicely balanced. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2015 |
Clare Chardonnay |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98+ (6/2018): The Clare Chardonnay is sourced from the Hyde Vineyard on the Napa Valley side of Carneros, planted to Old Wente clone vines that are now 22 years old. The 2015 Chardonnay Clare is a doppelganger for a great Meursault, featuring gloriously seductive pink grapefruit, lemon meringue pie and mandarin peel scents with hints of lime blossoms, fresh ginger, struck match and toasted almonds. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is super intense, with layer upon layer of electrically charged citrus and floral notes, framed by lively acid and a silken texture, finishing very long and very minerally. Wow!!
JD 97+ (6/2018): Serious notes of citrus blossom, pineapple, and mint emerge from the 2015 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard, and it has some serious oomph in both its aromas and flavors. Concentrated, still tight and slightly angular, yet with riveting purity and elegance, it’s a tour de force in California Chardonnay that needs another year in bottle and will keep for 10-15 years.
VM 96 (4/2018): The 2015 Chardonnay Clare Hyde Vineyard is quite a bit more expressive from bottle than it was from tank. A hint of reduction adds freshness to the naturally rich, opulent Hyde fruit. Racy and layered on the palate, with tremendous richness, the 2015 is a wonderfully complete and deeply satisfying wine with a very bright future. In 2015, the Clare did not finish its malolactic fermentation. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2021 |
Estate Chardonnay |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 96 (1/2024): The 2021 Chardonnay DuMOL Estate Vineyard is a powerful, phenolic, driving wine. Sage, crushed rocks, lemon peel, mint, white pepper and dried herbs infuse the Estate with tremendous complexity. High-density plantings of Mount Eden clone Chardonnay on this site yield a wine of tremendous distinctiveness and vibrancy. (Drink between 2025-2033). Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (7/2023): A youthful golden straw hue, the 2021 Chardonnay DuMOL Estate Vineyard is layered with savory aromas of fresh herbs, chamomile, smoky wet stone, and yellow apple. Medium to full-bodied, it reveals a ripe balance of fruit in its notes of preserved citrus, ripe pear, and melon rind, along with a driving mineral texture. Drink 2024-2036. (Drink between 2024-2036).
WA 96 (6/2023): The 2021 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard is dynamic and expressive, with generous aromas of baklava, baked apple, toast and flint. The palate is satiny and expansive with a pleasurably sneaky crescendo of acidity to balance its generosity, and it has an energetic, flinty finish. It will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle to unwind. |
|
|
2022 |
Hyde Vyd. Chardonnay |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98 (6/2024): The upper third of the Hyde Vineyard goes into this bottling and the lower part goes into the HHS. The nose of the 2022 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is spectacular, with notes of honeycomb, fresh pear, white flowers, and honeyed lemon. The palate offers incredible texture and vibrant fresh acidity, with an elegant feel and a long, long finish. A mouthwatering white, it's going to be worth laying down and checking in on in a few years. Drink 2026-2038. 22 barrels produced. (Drink between 2026-2038) . Audrey Frick.
WA 95+ (7/2024): The 2022 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard, from 32-year-old vines, was harvested on August 15, a week earlier than ever before, grape grower Andy Smith notes. Frost in the spring drastically lowered Chardonnay yields at Hyde (only 475 cases were made), although what remained was "immediately fantastic," Smith says. It opens with the seashell and saline touches characteristic of this vineyard, before unfurling exotic scents of lemongrass, stone fruit, toast and smoky flint. The light-bodied palate is youthfully coiled and electric. Its saline-tinged flavors are complemented by shimmery acidity and a silken texture, and it has a very long finish. |
|
|
2014 |
Isobel Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay |
$89 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 94 (3/2017): The 2014 Chardonnay Isobel Charles Heintz Vineyard has a very earthy/savory nose with notes of fallen leaves and moss over a core of lemon curd and grapefruit peel. The medium-bodied palate has a wonderful intensity of citrus and earthy flavors supported by lively acidity, finishing long with an herbal lift.
VM 94 (3/2017): The 2014 Chardonnay Isobel Charles Heintz Vineyard has come together beautifully since I tasted it last year. There is lovely focus and precision here, especially for this site, which can tend towards the more opulent side of things. Medium in body and gracious, the 2014 possesses lovely aromatic presence and terrific balance, all in a delicate, understated style that offers tons of near and medium term appeal. (Drink between 2018-2024). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2014 |
Russian River Valley Chardonnay |
$79 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 94 (3/2017): The 2014 Chardonnay Russian River has a classic baked apricots and apple pie-laced nose with nuances of roasted nuts and buttered toast. Medium to full-bodied and richly fruited, it has a seductive touch of oiliness to the texture and great vitality, finishing a little spicy.
VM 92 (3/2017): DuMol's 2014 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) is a gorgeous appellation-level wine. Apricot, chamomile, white flowers, honey and orange peel flesh out in the glass. Creamy, open-knit and expressive, the 2014 is an absolute winner, especially at this level. Attractive saline notes underpin the finish. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2015 |
Russian River Valley Chardonnay |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2018): The 2015 Chardonnay Russian River Valley opens with honeycomb, warm peaches and pear tart with a spicy undercurrent of ginger, anise and fennel seed plus wafts of pie crust and lemongrass. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling peaches and pears flavors with a racy acid line and nice, long finish.
VM 92 (4/2018): The 2015 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) is very pretty, and also a terrific introduction to these wines. Rich, racy and super-inviting, the Russian River Chardonnay captures all the personality and natural intensity of the year. Yellow stone fruit and floral notes are pushed to the foreground in this succulent, pliant Chardonnay. The 2015 is an overachieving, appellation-level wine that punches above its weight. (Drink between 2018-2025). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Elk Cove Vineyards |
2012 |
Ultima White Wine (375 ML) |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Fantesca |
2013 |
Russian River Valley Chardonnay |
$30 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Ferren Wines |
2023 |
Frei Road Chardonnay |
$99 |
4 |
|
| |
VM 95 (1/2026): The 2023 Chardonnay Frei Road Vineyard is one of the most potent Chardonnays in this range from Ferren. Broad and ample in the glass, the Frei Road stands out because of its imposing structure and strong phenolic accents. It's a wine that is going to need time to be at its most expressive and enjoyable. (Drink between 2026-2035). Antonio Galloni.
WA 95 (8/2026): The 2023 Chardonnay Frei Road Vineyard has gregarious scents of yellow peach, crème brûlée, lime leaves, matchstick and well-integrated oak spice. The medium-bodied palate delivers silky waves of stone and citrus fruit. It’s balanced by vibrant acidity and has a long, saline-laced finish. It should be long lived in the cellar. |
|
|
2023 |
Volpert Vyd. Chardonnay |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 97 (1/2026): The 2023 Chardonnay Volpert Vineyard emerges from a very cold site in the Taylor Lane district. It's an outrageously beautiful wine, a wine that captures the purest essence of the West Sonoma Coast. Lemon confit, white flowers, chamomile and marzipan all come alive in this gorgeous, beautifully delineated Chardonnay. (Drink between 2026-2035). Antonio Galloni.
WA 93 (8/2026): The 2023 Chardonnay Volpert Vineyard has bright aromas of green apple, lemon, lime and green herbs with soft creamy and spicy undertones. The medium-bodied palate has a silky texture and is bursting with ripe citrus flavors. It’s balanced by bright acidity and has a long, layered finish. |
|
|
2022 |
Zephyr Farms Vyd. Chardonnay |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98 (7/2025): Coming from a cooler and later ripening site, the 2022 Chardonnay Zephyr Farm Vineyard has such a sense of place with its coastal and vibrant feel. It has a savory touch that I love, with a fantastic freshness, and the palate is bright and focused, with a great, compact feel. And while it has the electricity I come to expect from this site, there’s just a touch more rounded opulence to even things out, so it isn’t austere, finishing with notes of delicate oak spice. Audrey Frick.
WA 94 (8/2025): The 2022 Chardonnay Zephyr Vineyard is a rare new addition to the Ferren portfolio. It comes from Mt Eden and Old Wente selection vines that are around 20 years old, located between the towns of Freestone and Sebastopol. On the nose, a well of apple and peach is accented by nuances of elderflower, vanilla, meringue and roasted almonds. The light-bodied palate is bright and flinty with latent fruit at this early stage. It combines a soft, ethereal texture with vibrant acidity, and it has a long, dynamic finish. Give it 2-3 years in the cellar. |
|
| Fingers Crossed |
2020 |
Head Held High White Wine |
$159 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 96-98 (8/2022): I was able to taste two vintages of this estate's whites, both brilliant. The 2020 White Head Held High, which is still resting in barrel, is a Chardonnay-dominated blend that includes 12% Roussanne and 8% Marsanne. It has a brilliant nose of ripe pineapple, orange blossom, flower oil, and honeysuckle. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, round, mouth-filling, yet still pure and precise white that has a singular character. It's a great wine in the making. |
|
| Gambal Work |
2017 |
Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$43.99 |
45 |
|
| |
|
| Girasole |
2017 |
Mendocino Chardonnay |
$16.99 |
11 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Mendocino Chardonnay |
$10 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Hillick & Hobbs |
2019 |
Estate Vineyard Dry Riesling |
$29 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Hourglass |
2024 |
Estate Sauvignon Blanc |
$33.99 |
24 |
|
| |
JD 94 (12/2025): Based on 86% Sauvignon Blanc/Musque and 14% Semillon from Napa and Sonoma County fruit and aged six months with 30% in oak barrels, the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc offers classic, fresh lime, ripe citrus, mint, and stony minerality aromatics. It's medium-bodied, has a bright, fresh, focused, pure mouthfeel, beautiful balance, and outstanding length. There are roughly 2,600 cases produced. Drink 2025-2035. (Drink between 2025-2035).
VM 90 (11/2025): The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc is an airy, gracious, aperitif-style white drink now and over the next few years. Citrus peel, sage, tomato leaf and mint are all finely sculpted. (Drink between 2025-2029). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Ink Grade |
2023 |
Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc |
$34 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 94 (11/2025): The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is complex, dynamic and full of character. Lees-stirring builds the mid-palate in a resonant, dynamic Sauvignon Blanc that offers a beguiling mix of varietal character and structure. This is a very distinctive white. (Drink between 2025-2031). Antonio Galloni.
WA 91 (10/2025): Ink Grade's 2023 Sauvignon Blanc matured in a mix of concrete eggs (50%), stainless steel (25%) and French oak demi-muids and foudre (25%). The nose brings hints of crushed stone, white grapefruit and pear, while the medium-bodied palate is streamlined, focused and taut without being tough or unfriendly, finishing with ample length. |
|
| Kenzo Estate |
2020 |
Asatsuyu Sauvignon Blanc (375 ML) |
$49 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 91+ (11/2021): Composed of 96% Sauvignon Blanc and 4% Semillon, the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Asatsuyu bursts with vibrant lemon curd, fresh grapefruit and white peach scents plus hints of dill seed, chopped herbs and lime blossoms. Medium-bodied, intense and delicately styled, the palate delivers a restrained, quiet intensity and long, zesty finish. |
|
| Kinsman Eades |
2024 |
Aisana Sauvignon Blanc |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 93 (12/2025): Based on 81% Sauvignon Blanc and 19% Sémillon and brought up 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Aisana offers beautiful varietal character in its gooseberry, ripe citrus, and minty herbal notes. It's medium-bodied and juicy, with terrific balance and purity. This polished, well-made Sauvignon Blanc will drink beautifully over the coming 5-7 years. Drink 2025-2031. (Drink between 2025-2031).
VM 92 (11/2025): The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Aisana is a very pretty, bright wine. White flowers, chalk, mint, white pepper and citrus notes abound. Racy and mineral-driven, the 2024 is positively stellar. This builds beautifully through the mid-palate and into a finish framed by a gentle kiss of French oak. (Drink between 2025-2030). Antionio Galloni. |
|
|
2022 |
Aisana White Wine |
$95 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (7/2024): The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Alsana is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc (barrel fermented in French oak) and 25% Sémillon (fermented in stainless steel drums). Winemaker Nigel Kinsman says the math works out to about 25% new wood overall. Scents of lemon curd are joined by some riper fig and stone fruit, plus a hint of anise on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is plump and generous, then finishes long, citrusy and silky. |
|
| Kongsgaard |
2023 |
Estate White Wine |
$195 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 96 (12/2024): The 2023 Estate White is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Chardonnay, all organically farmed fruit from the Atlas Peak estate, co-fermented. The 2023 was fermented in equal parts neutral oak and amphora. Rich and beautifully layered in the glass, the Estate possesses striking textural depth from start to finish. Dried pear, chamomile, white flowers, mint and sage build, leading into the dense, phenolic finish. Leave it to John and Alex Kongsgaard to redefine what white wine can be in Napa Valley (Drink between 2024-2031). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2017 |
Viorous White Wine |
$139 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (12/2018): The 2017 VioRous soars from the glass with intense, exotic floral notes. In 2017, the blend has moved up to 80%+ Viognier, which gives the wine its distinctive texture and flavor profile. This is such a classy, polished white. VioRous is a blend of Viognier from Atlas Peak and The Judge and Roussanne from The Judge. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Kutch |
2014 |
Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay |
$50 |
5 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (3/2017): The 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a highly individual wine. Powerful and phenolic, with plenty of mountain intensity, the 2014 offers notable power. Reductive overtones in the bouquet adds energy and tension, which results in a striking interplay of all the elements. Ash, graphite and a host of savory/mineral overtones are the signatures. The reductive element is pushed to the edge. There is certainly no shortage of intrigue. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Lewis Cellars |
2016 |
Sonoma County Chardonnay |
$36 |
19 |
|
| |
|
|
2016 |
Sonoma County Chardonnay Very Lightly Scuffed Label |
$36 |
6 |
|
| |
|
|
2016 |
Sonoma County Chardonnay Slightly Depressed Cork; Lightly Scuffed Label |
$36 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Sonoma County Chardonnay |
$40 |
5 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (1/2019): There are two Chardonnays. The 2017 Chardonnay Sonoma County is a beauty and has a big perfume of caramelized pineapple, tangerine, and toasted oak. It’s rich, medium-bodied, and beautifully textured, with plenty of length. It’s seriously good Chardonnay that has richness and freshness. |
|
| Marcassin |
2011 |
Marcassin Vyd. Chardonnay Signs of Old Seepage; Bin-Soiled Label |
$495 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (8/2015): The 2011 is a great Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard from a much-maligned and sometimes excessively criticized vintage. 2011 has its low points, but there are many producers who got it right, and survived the challenging growing and harvest conditions. This wine has phenomenal intensity, with plenty of crushed rock, pineapple, honeysuckle, orange and tangerine blossom in an elegant, medium to full-bodied style, with terrific intensity, good acidity and freshness. This is more evolved than either the 2009 or 2010, and probably will be a candidate for 7-8 years of aging, rather than 10 or more. |
|
|
2021 |
Marcassin Vyd. Chardonnay |
$499 |
8 |
|
| |
| VM 97 (1/2026): The 2021 Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard is rich and resonant in the glass. It's a grand, sweeping wine that will thrill those lucky enough to find it. Plush contours wrap around a core of lemon confit, dried herbs, marzipan and white flowers. Brisk acids suggest further time in bottle will be beneficial. Although quite heady in its first impression, the 2021 turns more and more delicate with time in the glass. It's classic Marcassin all the way. (Drink between 2028-2036). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Martinelli |
2011 |
Bella Vigna Chardonnay |
$20.30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Bella Vigna Chardonnay |
$22.40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2010 |
Three Sisters Sea Ridge Meadow Chardonnay Significant Cristal Deposit in Bottle |
$24.50 |
8 |
|
| |
|
|
2010 |
Zio Tony Ranch Chardonnay |
$27.30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2011 |
Zio Tony Ranch Chardonnay Significant Cristal Deposit in Bottle |
$24.50 |
9 |
|
| |
|
| Matthews |
2013 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$15 |
7 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$15 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2018 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$15 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2018 |
Colombia Valley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc |
$25 |
11 |
|
| |
| JD 90 (4/2020): Including 3% Semillon, the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve comes from the Boushey and Stillwater Creek vineyards. Offering Bordeaux blanc-like notes of lemon curd, mint, sappy flowers, and subtle rocky minerality, it's medium-bodied, has bright acidity, plenty of mid-palate depth and texture, and a clean finish. It’s going to keep for a solid 3-5 years. (Drink between 2020-2025) |
|
|
2012 |
Stillwater Creek Sauvignon Blanc |
$15 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 87 (12/2013): Pale, bright yellow. Candied lemon peel and pineapple on the nose, accented by pepper and herbs, not to mention some heat. Fat on entry, then some unabsorbed acidity clashes with the wine's glyceral texture. Will this wine settle down and harmonize in the bottle? Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Maxem |
2017 |
UV Vyd. Chardonnay |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Mayacamas |
2016 |
Mt. Veeder Chardonnay |
$75 |
15 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (3/2018): The 2016 Chardonnay is fabulous. A vivid, textured wine, the 2016 possesses remarkable finesse and intensity in all of its dimensions. Lemon oil and white flowers are amped up by the natural intensity of these old vines. The 2016 was fermented and aged in neutral oak, with no malolactic fermentation. Mayacamas is setting a new standard for what California Chardonnay can be. Don't miss it. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2016 |
Mt. Veeder Chardonnay (1.5 L) |
$150 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (3/2018): The 2016 Chardonnay is fabulous. A vivid, textured wine, the 2016 possesses remarkable finesse and intensity in all of its dimensions. Lemon oil and white flowers are amped up by the natural intensity of these old vines. The 2016 was fermented and aged in neutral oak, with no malolactic fermentation. Mayacamas is setting a new standard for what California Chardonnay can be. Don't miss it. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2019 |
Mt. Veeder Chardonnay |
$65 |
5 |
|
| |
VM 94 (1/2021): The 2019 Chardonnay is fabulous. Next to the 2018 in this tasting, it has more resonance and overall depth. Power, depth and energy all come together in this beautifully layered, expressive Chardonnay. Lemon oil, almond, chamomile and dried flowers fill out the layers effortlessly. The 2019 is such a gorgeous wine. (Drink between 2022-2030). Antonio Galloni.
WA 93 (3/2023): The 2019 Chardonnay is drinking well, with just a hint of sweet corn accenting white peaches and melon on the nose. It's medium-bodied, with a pleasantly silky and almost creamy mouthfeel (despite not undergoing malolactic fermentation) and a long, crushed-stone finish. |
|
| Maybach |
2015 |
Eterium Chardonnay |
$69 |
8 |
|
| |
|
| Mending Wall |
2022 |
Stone on Stone Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc |
$35 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Peter Michael Winery |
2023 |
L’Apres Midi Sauvignon Blanc |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (3/2025): Grapes for the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc L’Après-Midi were picked from September 21 through November 2—an especially long harvest window. “It was a special year because everything was pushed back,” Winemaker Robert Fiore says, noting that the cooler season resulted in very lively wines. Blended with 4% Sémillon, the 2023 L’Après-Midi is open and inviting. Pineapple, peach and guava are accented by tones of beeswax, dried tarragon and candle smoke on the nose. The palate is bursting with concentrated, tropical, spicy flavors. Its vibrant acidity provides the perfect foil, lending the wine a shimmery feel, and it has a long, perfumed finish. |
|
|
2024 |
L’Apres Midi Sauvignon Blanc |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (2/2026): The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc L’Après-Midi contains 6% Sémillon. It matured in around 15% new French oak and was bottled the spring after the harvest. It has continually unfurling scents of flint, white peach, tarragon, lemongrass, graham cracker, chamomile and honey. The full-bodied palate is bursting with layers of flinty stone and citrus fruit, and it has a lifted, silky texture. It’s balanced by succulent acidity and has a long, perfumed finish. 2,162 cases were made. |
|
|
2023 |
La Carriere Chardonnay |
$99 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96 (2/2026): The 2023 Chardonnay La Carrière has intoxicating scents of white peach, grilled grapefruit and Meyer lemon plus nuances of flint, vanilla, panna cotta and lemongrass. The full-bodied palate is silky and expressive with energetic layers of flinty citrus and stone fruit. It offers high concentration for its elegant frame, and its oak spice is seamlessly integrated. It’s balanced by bright, focused acidity and has a long, dynamic finish. 2,478 cases were made.
JD 95 (7/2025): French for “The Quarry,” the 2023 Chardonnay La Carriere comes from a steep site with a 45-degree slope and rocky, poor soils. It boasts a bright yellow color with a light haze (they don’t fine or filter), and the nose lifts with flinty wet stones, fresh pineapple, lemon curd, citrus blossoms, and an elegant, rounded vanilla perfume. The palate is medium to full-bodied and offers a silky texture, with an elegant, floating feel and delicate savory notes of Marcona almond on the finish. Drink 2026-2038. Audrey Frick.
VM 95 (7/2025): The 2023 Chardonnay La Carrière is wonderfully exuberant right out of the gate. Apricot, white flowers, tangerine peel, truffle, mint and lightly honeyed overtones all build in the glass. La Carrière is defined by striking mid-palate resonance and texture. It's another gorgeous wine in this range from Peter Michael. These are the lowest-yielding Chardonnay vines on the property. (Drink between 2027-2035). Antonio Galloni |
|
|
2023 |
Ma Belle-Fille Chardonnay |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98 (7/2025): Coming from the highest vineyard site of the Chardonnays, planted between 1999 and 2000, the 2023 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille has a bright straw/yellow hue. The nose opens to lifted notes of white pepper, quince, poached green apples, and fresh flowers. The palate is full but nimble, with a more mid-weight feel. It’s finessed and is long on the palate, with an elegant, silky texture. Drink 2026-2040. Audrey Frick.
WA 96 (2/2026): The 2023 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille has slowly opening scents of Meyer lemon, panna cotta, orange blossom, saline and well-matched, seamlessly integrated oak spice. The full-bodied palate is silky and energetic, its highly concentrated flavors foiled by taut acidity, and it has a long, layered finish.
VM 94 (7/2025): The 2023 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille offers a beguiling mix of aromatics, fruit and structure. Dried pear, crushed flowers, mint, white pepper, slate and dried herbs all race across the palate. Strong mineral and graphite notes emerge with coaxing to round things out. This needs time. (Drink between 2027-2035). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2022 |
Mon Plaisir Chardonnay |
$109 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96 (3/2025): The 2022 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir offers a well of peachy fruit on the nose, complemented by compelling nuances of panna cotta, gingersnap cookies, Meyer lemon and iodine. The full-bodied palate is powerful and expansive with rich, layered flavors and a luxurious, satiny texture. Its generosity is foiled by mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, kaleidoscopic finish.
VM 94 (1/2024): The 2022 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir is an incredibly classy wine. Soft, silky and caressing, the 2022 is sublime. Orange peel, mint, white flowers and a kiss of French oak are some of the many notes that grace this understated yet seductive Chardonnay from Peter Michael. (Drink between 2024-2032). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2023 |
Mon Plaisir Chardonnay |
$129 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 96 (1/2025): The 2023 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir is a dense, powerful wine. It is also one of the most reticent Chardonnays in this range. Apricot pit, peach, pear, white flowers, mint, white pepper and slate emerge, but only with great reluctance. This is a wine for readers who can be patient. What a beauty. (Drink between 2027-2038) . Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (7/2025): From the first vineyard of the estate, the 2023 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir has a similar bright yellow hue and a more focused feel with notes of lime zest, crushed stones, melon, sweet spices, and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied, with focused acidity, and feels more tension-driven, with a long, mouthwatering finish that floats off the palate with a mineral-toned feel. It will take time to open it, but it should have a good deal of longevity. Drink 2026-2040. Audrey Frick.
WA 95+ (2/2026): The 2023 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir has arresting scents of flint, candle smoke, crème brûlée and spice over a core of peach and guava fruit. The full-bodied palate is elegantly styled with a silky texture, taut acidity and nuanced but youthfully coiled flavors. Concentrated and energetic, it will benefit from several years in the cellar. 1,117 cases were made. |
|
|
2021 |
Point Rouge Chardonnay |
$400 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98 (7/2023): A ripe straw hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Point Rouge is lifted with aromas of lime zest, delicate smoke, ripe green apple, and wet stone. Full-bodied, it offers a slightly more linear feel, with energetic freshness to balance the richness, sweet oak spices that are well-integrated, and a long finish. This is a fantastic blend of the estate’s sites. Drink 2024-2036.Sir Peter Michael founded his eponymous winery in 1982, inspired by the wine of Chateau Montelena, which led him to California. In 2020, Robert Fiore took the helm as winemaker, while former winemaker Luc Morlet remains as a consultant. Robert studied at the Colorado School of Mines, which led him to a career in environmental geophysics before finding his path into the world of wine. He went on to UC Davis to study Viticulture and Enology. Most recently, Robert was a member of the winemaking team at Continuum in Napa. Vineyard manager Javier Avina has championed the land since 1991. Each of the sites are steep hillsides in Knights Valley that modulate with varied exposition and soils. Sir Peter’s son Paul and his wife Emily oversee the management of the winery today. (Drink between 2024-2036). Audrey Frick.
VM 97 (8/2023): The 2021 Chardonnay Point Rouge is a powerful, heady wine. Readers will have to be patient with the 2021, as it packs a ton of punch. Dried flowers, chamomile, spice, mint and orange peel infuse the 2021 with tons of depth and sheer character. Readers will find a magnificent, complete Chardonnay. (Drink between 2025-2033). Antonio Galloni.
WA 96 (10/2023): The 2021 Chardonnay Point Rouge is very tightly coiled on the nose. Spring honey, brioche, toast and almond dominates a shy core of peachy fruit. Despite its aromatic reticence at this stage, it's surprisingly concentrated and perfumed as it glides through the mouth with a satiny texture and seamless freshness. Like the Chardonnay Mon Plaisir, the Point Rouge will take significant time to reveal its full potential. |
|
|
2022 |
Point Rouge Chardonnay |
$375 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 97 (7/2025): Also a barrel selection and aged 15 months in barrel, visually the 2022 Chardonnay Point Rouge offers a touch more clarity, with a shimmering yellow hue. With 80% of the fruit from Belle Cote and 10% each from the other vineyards, it’s layered aromatically with notes of honeyed citrus, fresh linen, melon, honeydew, and vanilla bean. On the palate, it gains in intensity and builds through the finish, and it’s pristine and fresh all the way through. It has real staying power, with plenty of clarity and focus that’s balanced with density and power. It closes with a mouthwatering finish. Drink 2026-2046. Audrey Frick.
WA 96+ (3/2025): The 2022 Chardonnay Point Rouge has slowly unfolding scents of candy apple, pie crust, coriander seed and roasted almonds, offering something new with each return to the glass. The full-bodied palate pairs satiny and concentrated with honey- and spice-laced flavors. Its richness is balanced by vibrant acidity, and it has a very long, dynamic finish. It opens dramatically with air and will benefit from some time in a decanter.
VM 96 (1/2024): The 2022 Chardonnay Point Rouge is a classic Peter Michael wine. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint, apricot and light tropical accents all run through this super-expressive Chardonnay. This year's blend is 80% Belle Côte, 10% Ma Belle File and 10% La Carrière. I find the 2022 a bit closed at this stage, which I take as a positive sign in terms of potential for cellaring. (Drink between 2024-2032). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Minimus |
2017 |
Dijon Free Chardonnay |
$34.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Morlet Family Vineyards |
2022 |
Coup de Coeur Chardonnay |
$169 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (10/2024): Morlet's 2022 Chardonnay Coup de Coeur—a barrel selection of just 245 cases—features enticing fruit scents of white peach and pineapple on the nose. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and plump but balanced, fresh and almost zesty on the finish—a compelling illustration of flavor intensity without excess weight. The step up in quality seems more pronounced in this vintage than in 2021.
JD 98 (6/2024): Pouring a clear medium yellow hue, the 2022 Chardonnay Coup De Coeur is a selection of the finest barrels and is exclusively made from old Wente vines. On the nose, it boasts a layered and spiced profile, with white pepper, lime blossom, white peach, and melon. The palate is luxurious and supple, with a medium to full-bodied frame that has a fantastic, silky texture and a long, outstanding finish with lasting notes of almond and citrus pith. Drink 2026-2036. Audrey Frick. |
|
|
2023 |
Coup de Coeur Chardonnay |
$169 |
3 |
|
| |
| JD 98 (7/2025): A slightly deeper bright yellow hue, the 2023 Chardonnay Coup De Coeur is a selection of the best barrels and is entirely made from Old Wente selection. It’s focused on the nose with notes of lime oils, delicate flinty crushed stones, tarragon, green apples, and a fresh savory feel, with its delicate backing spice and oak spice framing the wine gently. It’s full-bodied and feels focused and linear in this vintage, with vibrant acidity weaving through the wine. It has a supple texture and a long, expressive feel, with mouthwatering, fantastic length through the finish. A step up, this incredible and complete wine floats away slowly, with a stony texture tying things together. Drink 2026-2038. Audrey Frick. |
|
|
2024 |
La Proportion Doree |
$129 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (8/2026): The 2024 La Proportion Doree comes from dry-farmed vines more than 30 years old. A blend of 65% Sémillon, 34% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle, it fermented in barrel with bâtonnage. It has singular scents of dried persimmon, lemon oil, candle smoke, brioche and honeysuckle. The full-bodied palate is hedonistic, offering a luxurious, satiny texture and layer after layer of ripe, honeyed fruit. It’s balanced by energetic acidity and has a long, mouth-coating finish. |
|
|
2023 |
Ma Douce Chardonnay |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (7/2025): The 2023 Chardonnay Ma Douce comes from a site in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation on Goldridge soils, closer to the ocean and above the fog line. Unfiltered, it has a youthful and slightly hazy bright yellow color and is lifted with fresh flint, salted pineapples, preserved citrus, and fresh honeysuckle. The palate is full and elegant, with refreshing, ripe acidity. While it has decadence, it’s light on its feel and, especially in this vintage, has a floating feel with notes of pure vanilla bean that last on the finish. Drink 2025-2035. Audrey Frick. |
|
|
2024 |
Ma Douce Chardonnay |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2026): The 2024 Chardonnay Ma Douce comes from more than 30-year-old vines planted in Goldridge soils at 1,300–1,500 feet in elevation near the Pacific Ocean. It has complex aromas of stone and tropical fruit, lemon oil, vanilla, panna cotta, candle smoke and spice. The full-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with layered flavors. Its breath is foiled by a spine of mouthwatering acidity, and it has a very long, elegant finish. |
|
|
2024 |
Ma Princesse Chardonnay |
$149 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (8/2026): The 2024 Chardonnay Ma Princesse has slowly blossoming aromas of peach, Meyer lemon, beeswax, citrus blossoms, gravel dust and flint. The full-bodied palate features pure, concentrated stone and orchard fruit flavors. A pleasing textural bite interplays with its tense acidity, and it has a very long, energetic finish. It will benefit from time in the cellar. 700 cases were made. |
|
| Mount Eden Vineyards |
2011 |
Estate Chardonnay (1.5 L) |
$159 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 96 (7/2014): Mount Eden's 2011 Chardonnay is simply magnificent. Intense and tightly-coiled from the very first taste, the 2011 pulsates with energy, texture and pure class. Bright citrus, lemon oil, flowers and crushed rocks are all vivid in the glass, but it is the wine's exceptional balance that stands out most. The long, vibrant finish is a thing of beauty. In 2011, winemaker Jeffrey Patterson did not make a Reserve, instead all of the juice went into the straight Chardonnay. Readers who want to understand why the Santa Cruz Mountains is one of the world's great terroirs for Chardonnay should start here. Quite simply, the 2011 Chardonnay is a, reference-point for California. The only question is how long it will take to come around. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2012 |
Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 94+ (4/2024): The 2012 Chardonnay Estate is an impressive and intricate example of this iconic California wine. From the first pour, clean, intense aromas of crushed stones, pineapple, honeysuckle and citrus zest bound from the glass. The palate is succulent, tensile and lively, with a multilayered and impressively youthful finish. Considering the amount of money one can easily shell out for California Chardonnay, the degree to which Mount Eden overdelivers, especially in this early 2010s era, is hard to overstate. |
|
|
2013 |
Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve Chardonnay |
$95 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 96 (4/2024): The 2013 Chardonnay Reserve begins more aromatically understated than its Estate peer but eventually bests it after time in the glass. The aromas are dialed up across the board, both in leesy, bready richness and oceanic, citrus-tinged refreshment. The already-incisive, broad palate is even more assertive, segueing to an expansive, three-dimensional finish. This is neck and neck with the 2012 vintage, although its additional power gives it a slight edge for me. As impressive a Chardonnay from this property as one could ask for, this should age beautifully and continue to be on the ascent for many years.
JD 95 (8/2017): The 2013 Chardonnay Reserve is a selection of the top 11 barrels made from the estate Chardonnay after spending 10 months in barrel. It then spent another 12 months, on lees, in stainless steel, and there’s a tiny 262 cases produced. It sports a vibrant gold color as well a rich bouquet of golden fruits, citrus, toasted bread, flowers and honeysuckle. It's beautifully concentrated, has plenty of texture, good acidity and a clean finish. I love its balance and purity, and it’s going benefit from short term cellaring and keep for two decades. Want to show your Burgundy loving friends how good California Chardonnay is? Let them try this wine. Winemaker Jeffrey Patterson makes a classic, old-school, age-worthy style of wine from his vineyard located on the east side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. These wines see longer time in barrel than most, hence these are mostly 2014s and 2013s. This is unquestionably one of the benchmark estates for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California. (Drink between 2019-2039).
VM 94+ (8/2017): Translucent and lifted, the 2013 Chardonnay Reserve is yet another brilliant wine from Mount Eden. Lemon confit, white flowers and mint all grace this exquisite, super-inviting Chardonnay. There is plenty of energy, depth and structure, but today those elements are more implied rather than overtly stated. (Drink between 2020-2028). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2015 |
Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve Chardonnay |
$95 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (4/2024): The delta between the Estate bottling and the 2015 Chardonnay Reserve is narrower in this challenging vintage, with the extra year in stainless steel providing additional balance to the robustness of the fruit. The waxy, savory aromas carry through both iterations, with more lift and focus present in the Reserve iteration. The palate's sheer size and impactful nature are better supported, with a noticeably more persistent structure, acidity and length on the finish. |
|
|
2016 |
Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve Chardonnay (1.5 L) Bin-Soiled Label |
$199 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 97 (9/2020): The 2016 Chardonnay Reserve is the stuff dreams are made of. Towering and statuesque in its pedigree, the Reserve shows why the Santa Cruz Mountains is such a special place. The 2016 is deep, powerful and intense, and yet it remains remarkably finessed as well. Tangerine oil, mint, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes all develop with a few hours of aeration. The Reserve is a blend of 11 barrels (all neutral oak) that spends its second winter on its lees in tank, an approach that is common in Burgundy, but that is not often seen in California. All I can say is: Wow! Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2017 |
Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve Chardonnay (1.5 L) |
$180 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 95 (5/2022): The 2017 Chardonnay Reserve is an intriguing wine. For a vintage that was so torrid, the Reserve remains very much light on its feet. Tangerine oil, hazelnut, passionfruit, chamomile, butter, baked apple tart and pastry lend quite a bit of nuance. There's good freshness and plenty of complexity. Time brings out the wine's textural richness and exotic flair. The 2017 spent ten months in oak and then a year in tank prior to being bottled. (Drink between 2023-2029). Antonio Galloni.
JD 94 (12/2021): What I believe to be the current release, the 2017 Chardonnay Reserve is a barrel selection from the estate on the Santa Cruz Mountains. It has a deeper, medium gold hue as well as a reserved yet promising nose of almond paste, golden fruits, toasted bread, and baking spices. It’s rich, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and balanced on the palate, with good acidity and the class to evolve nicely for another decade. However, there's no need to delay gratification either. (Drink between 2022-2032).
WA 94 (4/2024): The 2017 Chardonnay Reserve attains another level of focus and complexity from the Estate bottling. After aging for 10 months sur lie, 15 barrels were selected and racked with their lees into stainless tank for an additional 12 months. The results are, simply put, more of everything: intensity, length and vibrancy. The width, length and overall fidelity of the finish are where the most noticeable differences lie, instilling an already very solid Chardonnay with extra potential in the cellar. |
|
| Mumm |
NV |
Cuvee Napa Brut Prestige Sparkling Wine Lightly Scuffed Label |
$10 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Newton |
2013 |
Napa/Sonoma County Chardonnay |
$10 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| One True Vine |
2021 |
Summer Dreams Lazy Lounging Chardonnay Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$104 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (12/2023): Honeyed apple, tangerine, flower oil, toasted almond, and brioche notes all emerge from the 2021 Chardonnay Lazy Lounging, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, yet remarkably pure Chardonnay that has integrated oak, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and awesome length on the finish. |
|
| Pahlmeyer |
2014 |
Napa Valley Chardonnay |
$79 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 94 (12/2015): The 2014 Chardonnay is light gold-colored with a greenish hue and beautiful, fresh tropical fruit flavors of pineapple, pear, honeysuckle and a touch of citrus. It is not as dense and concentrated as the 2013, but I love its vibrancy and beautiful subtleties and nuances. It is another top-notch effort from Pahlmeyer to drink over the next 7-8 years.
VM 91 (12/2016): The 2014 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) is a beautifully balanced wine with more than enough freshness and minerality to play off the classic Pahlmeyer richness. A slight hint of reduction in the aromatics lead to nicely delineated yellow orchard fruit nuances. This is very nicely done. (Drink between 2017-2022). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2015 |
Napa Valley Chardonnay |
$79 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 96 (12/2016): The 2015 Chardonnay, which comes from both Old Wente and Dijon clones, is off the estate property on Atlas Peak. It has that noteworthy greenish hue to its light-gold color, which I consider a high-sign of quality. Orange blossom, tangerine oil, mango, subtle smoky wood, a full-bodied texture, terrific purity and acidity, great fruit and a long, long finish are the stuff of great California Chardonnay. This cuvée also has a phenomenal track record for aging for at least 7-10 years, and in certain vintages even longer.
VM 89 (12/2016): The 2015 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) is a very pretty, racy, voluptuous Chardonnay. Apricot, chamomile, mint, new French oak, butter, vanillin and lightly honeyed notes give the 2015 much of its extroverted, flamboyant personality. Even with all of its richness, though, the 2015 is a relatively mid-weight wine in its structure but with a decidedly overt, oak-influenced personality. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2017 |
Napa Valley Chardonnay |
$89 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 96 (1/2019): Bottled in August, the 2017 Chardonnay Napa Valley offers Aubert-like notes of white flowers, white peach, tangerine, flower oil, and white flowers. It's rich, layered, so pure and balanced, and is just a class act as well as one of the top Chardonnays in this report. (Drink between 2019-2030).
WA 93+ (10/2018): Composed entirely of fruit from Atlas Peak and bottled two weeks ago, the 2017 Chardonnay gives very pretty white peaches, pink grapefruit, honey-drizzled pears and lime blossoms with touches of nutmeg, marzipan and baker’s yeast. The palate is medium-bodied with a slight, very pleasant phenolic grip to the texture and bags of stone fruit and pear layers, finishing on a lovely savory note.
VM 92 (12/2018): Pahlmeyer's 2017 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) is a pretty, very supple wine. Orchard fruit, chamomile, sage, mint and apricot are nicely pushed forward in this open-knit, creamy Chardonnay. Beautifully balanced and racy, the 2017 has a lot to offer. The Napa Valley Chardonnay is a blend of fruit from the estate and Antinori's Antica property on Atlas Peak. This is an attractive wine, especially within the context of the vintage. (Drink between 2018-2025). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2022 |
Napa Valley Chardonnay |
$85 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 95 (12/2024): The 2022 Chardonnay is dense and powerful. In that sense, it is perhaps a bit more typical than the 2023 tasted alongside it. Dried pear, apricot, chamomile, marzipan, tangerine oil, flowers and light tropical accents all build in the glass. This is the only Chardonnay from Pahlmeyer in 2022, and it is terrific. (Drink between 2024-2032). Antonio Galloni.
WA 93 (7/2024): Winemaker Katie Vogt started picking for Pahlmeyer's 2022 Chardonnay in August, with just a couple of blocks hanging into September. As always, it's all fermented in roughly 90% new François Frères barrels. The nose boasts scents of toasted hazelnuts and white peaches, plus hints of cashew and grilled pineapple. In the mouth, this vintage is full-bodied, broad and expansive—perhaps a bit warm. Fruit this vintage came from Antinori, Hyde, Toyon, Stagecoach and Waters Ranch (Pahlmeyer's estate vineyard). |
|
|
2014 |
Savoir Faire Chardonnay |
$139 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Patz & Hall |
2022 |
Dutton Ranch Chardonnay |
$35 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 93 (10/2025): The 2022 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch has pure aromas of green apple, lemon peel, saline, toasted meringue and well-integrated spice from its 17-month maturation in 29% new French oak. The full-bodied palate is surprisingly generous with highly concentrated flavors and mouth-coating dry extract. It’s balanced by bright, focused acidity and has a long, expressive finish.
JD 92 (7/2025): Moving to the single-vineyard wines, the 2022 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch is a straw/yellow color and is more intense on the nose, with aromas of toasted spices, honeycomb, grilled pineapple, and lemon oils. The palate is generous and full-bodied, with its intensity continuing through a sustained and citrus-noted finish. A ripe but well-detailed wine that offers a more immediate feel, it will likely show its best over the coming 4-6 years. (Drink between 2025-2031). |
|
| Clos Pegase |
2018 |
Mitsuko’s Vyd. Sauvignon Blanc |
$14.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Perchance |
2022 |
Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Chardonnay |
$95 |
4 |
|
| |
JD 97 (3/2025): Brought up all in new barrels, the 2022 Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard is stunning stuff offering a kaleidoscope-like bouquet of honeyed lemon, caramelized orange, flower oil, citrus, and hints blanched almonds. It's full-bodied, has a deep, beautifully layered mouthfeel, and a serious finish. Drink bottles through 2032.
WA 93 (10/2024): Composed of Clone 96 planted in 1995 and barrel fermented in 100% new French oak, half of the 2022 Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard underwent malolactic fermentation. It boasts a subtle honeyed element, plus ripe melon and pear notes. Full-bodied, plump and generous, with a long, richly textural finish, it's a beauty to enjoy over the next several years. |
|
|
2022 |
Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Chardonnay Ex-Domaine |
$95 |
24 |
|
| |
JD 97 (3/2025): Brought up all in new barrels, the 2022 Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard is stunning stuff offering a kaleidoscope-like bouquet of honeyed lemon, caramelized orange, flower oil, citrus, and hints blanched almonds. It's full-bodied, has a deep, beautifully layered mouthfeel, and a serious finish. Drink bottles through 2032.
WA 93 (10/2024): Composed of Clone 96 planted in 1995 and barrel fermented in 100% new French oak, half of the 2022 Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard underwent malolactic fermentation. It boasts a subtle honeyed element, plus ripe melon and pear notes. Full-bodied, plump and generous, with a long, richly textural finish, it's a beauty to enjoy over the next several years. |
|
|
2022 |
Beckstoffer Melrose Vyd. Sauvignon Blanc |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 94 (2/2024): From vines planted in 2000 and brought up in 75% new French oak, the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Beckstoffer Melrose Vineyard is a brilliant white revealing classic lemon and floral notes, as well as some background tropical and spicy nuances. With great acidity, medium body, and beautiful overall balance, this will stand toe to toe with a great Bordeaux Blanc. It should evolve for 10-15 years, but I love it today.
WA 92 (1/2024): The barrel-fermented 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Beckstoffer Melrose features a slightly smoky, fumé quality, a pleasant scent to the fig, melon and citrus fruit. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, nicely rich and creamy textured, with a long, citrusy finish. From a site off Zinfandel Lane, planted to clone 1 in 1990. |
|
|
2022 |
Beckstoffer Melrose Vyd. Sauvignon Blanc Ex-Domaine |
$65 |
40 |
|
| |
JD 94 (2/2024): From vines planted in 2000 and brought up in 75% new French oak, the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Beckstoffer Melrose Vineyard is a brilliant white revealing classic lemon and floral notes, as well as some background tropical and spicy nuances. With great acidity, medium body, and beautiful overall balance, this will stand toe to toe with a great Bordeaux Blanc. It should evolve for 10-15 years, but I love it today.
WA 92 (1/2024): The barrel-fermented 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Beckstoffer Melrose features a slightly smoky, fumé quality, a pleasant scent to the fig, melon and citrus fruit. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, nicely rich and creamy textured, with a long, citrusy finish. From a site off Zinfandel Lane, planted to clone 1 in 1990. |
|
| Pott |
2015 |
20m3 Viognier |
$55.25 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Purple Hands |
2021 |
Haakon Lenai Vyd. Chardonnay |
$58 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (10/2023): The 2021 Chardonnay Haakon Lenai Vineyard has generous aromas of peach cobbler, honey, roasted almonds and jasmine. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with alluring, honeyed fruit, seamless acidity and a very long, flavorful finish. This is hard to put down!
JD 95 (9/2023): Raised in 30% neutral oak, 40% new French oak, and the rest stainless steel, the 2021 Chardonnay Haakon/Linai Vineyard pours a medium yellow-straw hue. It reveals a very expressive perfume of grapefruit, jasmine, orange blossom, loads of preserved citrus, and a fruit cocktail of tropical fruits, peach, and salted pineapple. Medium-bodied, with great richness and extract without feeling in any way weighted down, it has a long presence on the finish, with notes of honeycomb and a fantastic texture. It’s exuberant now and should continue to improve over the next 5-8 years. (Drink between 2023-2031). Audrey Frick.
VM 88 (1/2024): The 2021 Chardonnay Haakon Lenai Vineyard is understated in the glass, with a nuanced blend of dusty florals and ground ginger. Fresh and lofted, it flows across the palate with juicy textures and crisp orchard fruits. This tapers off a bit short yet clean, leaving hints of sour melon. (Drink between 2023-2027). Eric Guido. |
|
| Rhys |
2009 |
Alpine Vyd. Chardonnay |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 94 (6/2011): Vivid yellow. Musky aromas of chamomile, pear skin, anise and iodine, with suave floral and gingerbread notes emerging with aeration. Juicy and broad on entry, then a bit tighter in the middle, offering densely packed orchard fruit flavors and notes of smoke and honeysuckle. More powerful than the Horseshoe but no less animated. This complex and tactile chardonnay boasts an intriguing interplay of ripe fruit and energetic spices. Finishes on a gently smoky note, with excellent persistence.
WA 93 (8/2011): The 2009 Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard is the most vibrant, mineral-laced of these 2009 Chardonnays. Clean, mineral notes frame the fruit all the way through to the vibrant, pointed finish. This is a terrific effort from Rhys. Bright citrus and crushed rocks frame the finish. The 2007, which I tasted alongside it, has aged gracefully. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. |
|
|
2009 |
Horseshoe Vyd. Chardonnay Very Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 94 (6/2011): Bright yellow. Lively, assertive aromas of orange zest, jasmine, mint, iodine and smoky minerals. Pure and incisive, with energetic, mineral-accented citrus and green apple flavors that gain weight with air. Finishes with excellent clarity and spicy cut, strongly echoing the orange and iodine notes. I suspect this vivacious wine will put on weight with a few more years of bottle age. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 92 (8/2011): The 2009 Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard emerges from the glass with layers of sweet fruit supported by the clean vibrancy that is the hallmark of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is an attractive, layered wine made in fairly forward, fruit-driven style. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. |
|
| Ridge Vineyards |
2020 |
Estate Chardonnay |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (8/2022): Coming from the estate vineyard on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the 2020 Chardonnay Estate has a beautiful nose of honeyed lemon blossom, crushed stone, toasty oak, and a touch of reductive-like minerality. This carries to a brilliantly balanced, medium-bodied Chardonnay with a round, layered mouthfeel, good acidity, and a focused style that should age gracefully for 7-8 years, if not longer. |
|
| Rivers Marie |
2013 |
Joy Road Vyd. Chardonnay |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (1/2015): Slate, graphite, dried pear, almonds, crushed flowers and sage emerge from the 2013 Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard. The flavor profile is quite a bit more floral and savory than the other Chardonnays in the range, with the fruit pushed a bit into the background. The Joy Road is the most subtle and layered of the Rivers-Marie Chardonnays. In many ways, it is the most evocative as well. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| J. Rochioli Vineyards |
2012 |
River Block Vyd. Chardonnay |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (12/2013): The 2012 Chardonnay River Block is made from the Old Wente clone as well as Dijon clone 95. It offers up notes of buttered tangerine oil, lemon grass, white peach, an underlying stony character, and a fresh, full-bodied, rich mouthfeel displaying terrific texture and length. This superb Chardonnay should drink well for 6-8 years.
VM 92 (5/2014): Pale yellow-gold. Mineral-laced citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complicated by a sexy floral nuance. Tightly wound orange and pear skin flavors deliver impressive depth and power, with no excess weight. The mineral quality dominates the finish, which features a subtle iodine flourish. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
South River Vyd. Chardonnay |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94 (12/2013): The 2012 Chardonnay South River reveals a terrific perfume of subtle smoke, buttered tropical fruits and a Chassagne-Montrachet-like nuttiness. Full-bodied and rich, this dazzling effort should drink well for 5-6 years.
VM 91 (2/2014): Rochioli's 2012 Chardonnay South River presents a beautiful array of tangerine, mint, white flowers and slate, all of which seem to lift out of the glass effortlessly. This pretty, feminine Chardonnay should drink well upon release and also mature a bit faster than some of the other wines given its mid-weight structure. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Scherrer Winery |
2011 |
Helfer Vyd. Chardonnay |
$50 |
10 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (5/2014): Light yellow. Complex, perfumed scents of poached pear, nectarine and honey, with smoky oak and iodine accents. Deeply pitched pit and orchard fruit flavors show very good vivacity, with dusty minerality adding back-end lift. The smoky note carries through the long, penetrating finish, with the pear note echoing. |
|
|
2014 |
Helfer Vyd. Chardonnay |
$59 |
9 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (8/2017): Smoke, pastry, baked apple and pear run through the 2014 Chardonnay Helfer Vineyard. There is good immediacy to the fruit, yet the 2014 remains medium in body and nicely lifted, with good Russian River intensity and silkiness to match its gracious personality. Another 6-12 months in bottle will help the oak integrate more fully. Antonio Galloni |
|
|
2013 |
Scherrer Vyd. Chardonnay |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (2/2016): The 2013 Chardonnay Scherrer Vineyard is pretty, soft and nuanced throughout. Yellow orchard fruit, spice, pear and vanilla are laced together in a creamy yet understated wine endowed with grace and lovely overall balance. |
|
|
2019 |
Scherrer Vyd. Chardonnay |
$43.99 |
14 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (1/2022): The 2019 Chardonnay Scherrer Vineyard is a powerful, wild wine. Soaring aromatics and a deep structure give this Alexander Valley Chardonnay tons of character. Orchard fruit, mint, tangerine oil and dried flowers all open in the glass. There's something exotic about the 2019 that is undeniably appealing. The creamy, substantial finish is a thing of beauty. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Screaming Eagle |
2018 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$2,400 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$2,300 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Seven and Eight |
2017 |
Estate Chardonnay |
$65 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 93+ (10/2019): The 2017 Chardonnay Estate gives up apple pie, spiced pears and honeydew melon with touches of cedar, toasted cashews, honeycomb, allspice and ginger. Full-bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, it has a creamy texture and long, toasty finish.
VM 93 (1/2020): The 2017 Chardonnay is bold, luscious and absolutely delicious. Tangerine oil, passion fruit, butter notes and exotic flowers all develop in a Chardonnay that nicely balances mountain structure, acidity and the natural viscosity of Wente-clone Chardonnay. As it often is, the Vineyard 7 & 8 in this vintage is one of the most distinctive Chardonnays in Napa Valley. (Drink between 2019-2027). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Shafer |
2015 |
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay |
$94 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (3/2018): Shafer's 2015 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is creamy, open-knit and super-expressive. Orchard fruit, white flowers and mint are nicely pushed forward, but it is the wine's balance and sense of harmony that stand out most. Lightly buttered notes and a kiss of French oak add the closing touches. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2018 |
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay |
$50 |
4 |
|
| |
JD 95 (1/2021): Tasted out of bottle, the 2018 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is beautifully done, with a vibrant yet rich style carrying notes of buttered lemon, orange blossom, white flowers, and toasted bread. With bright acidity, terrific overall balance, and a great finish, this is classic Napa Valley Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming 5-7 years. I wouldn't be surprised to see it keep even longer as well. (Drink between 2021-2030).
VM 93 (1/2021): The 2018 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is gorgeous. Tangerine oil, white flowers and light tropical accents grace the Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay. Creamy and yet delicate, with lovely balance. The 2018 has so much to offer. Drink this understated, classy Chardonnay over the next handful of years. (Drink between 2021-2025). Antonio Galloni.
WA 91 (11/2020): The 2018 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch bursts from the glass with oak-laced apple pie, peach preserves and ripe pineapple scents plus hints of allspice, candied ginger and praline. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a gorgeous satiny texture and loads of stone fruit and tropical fruit layers, finishing on a lingering spicy note. |
|
|
2019 |
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay |
$50 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 95 (2/2023): Always one of my favorite Chardonnays from Napa, the 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is no exception and offers a richer, concentrated, yet brilliantly balanced profile that carries classic caramelized citrus, orange, and stone fruits as well as spicy oak and brioche in the background. It’s a serious, concentrated, textured Chardonnay that does everything right. I wish there were more Chardonnay being produced in this style today.
VM 93 (1/2022): The 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is bright, fragrant and light on its feet. Lemon peel, tropical fruit, jasmine and mint lend striking aromatic nuance to a Chardonnay that balances the energy that is typical of this wine today with attractive, exotic accents that add wonderful nuance. (Drink between 2022-2026). Antonio Galloni.
WA 91 (11/2021): The 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch gallops out with bold scents of ripe yellow apple, spiced pears and beeswax, plus hints of nutmeg, orange blossoms and cedar. Full-bodied with a lively line cutting through the dense stone fruit and spicy flavors, it finishes on a toasty oak note. |
|
|
2021 |
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay |
$55 |
22 |
|
| |
JD 94 (2/2023): The 2021 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is another winner that has a slightly fresh, more vibrant style in its lemon and citrus fruits as well as honeyed minerality and spice. Medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant, it’s going to put on weight with a year or two of bottle age and should keep through 2031. (Drink between 2024-2031).
WA 93 (3/2023): Always an impressive bottling, the 2021 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch was barrel fermented in a 75% new French oak and 25% stainless steel. Boasting fabulous aromas of lemon curd, apple, pear and pencil shavings, this non-malolactic Chardonnay is full-bodied, round and generous on the palate, then crisp and refreshing on the finish. If it's not as complex or rich as the very best Chardonnays California has to offer, it's not that far behind, and the pricing and availability (6000 cases produced) remain reasonable for a wine of this quality.
VM 92 (2/2023): The 2021 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is brisk, fresh and finely cut, with plenty of citrus and floral character. Bright acids drive the profile in this vibrant, steely Red Shoulder Ranch. The 2021 was bottled with a bit less time in oak than normal to compensate for the lack of 2020, an approach that turned out quite well. (Drink between 2022-2027). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2022 |
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 95 (12/2023): I love the 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch. It's a richer, broad, yet still fresh and lively Chardonnay with ripe citrus and pineapple fruits, medium to full body, a layered mouthfeel, and terrific toast, brioche, honeysuckle, and lemon oil aromatics. It will keep for 4-6 years, if not longer, but I love it today. (Drink between 2023-2028).
WA 94 (12/2023): A modern-day classic, Shafer's 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch continues the tradition, delivering pristine pineapple notes alongside hints of citrus curd, pencil shavings and mocha. Full-bodied, round and generous, this no-malolactic-fermentation Chardonnay harmoniously tapers down into a clean, crisp finish. The only quibble with this vintage is that it may show a touch of alcoholic warmth.
VM 91 (12/2023): The 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch is bright, focused and aromatic, as is the style these days. Light tropical notes add an exotic flair as lemon peel, lime, white flowers and crushed rocks linger. The 2022 spent nine months in 40% new oak and the rest in tank and a bit of neutral oak. (Drink between 2023-2029). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Sine Qua Non |
2012 |
Shackled Petit Manseng (375 ML) |
$225 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Tectumque White Wine |
$209 |
8 |
|
| |
| WA 97+ (6/2019): Tectumque means “shelter” in Latin. This wine was initially going to be called “Inconnue” (“unknown” in French), but that name had already been trademarked. “Naming wines is becoming impossible,” mentioned Manfred. “Everything has already been taken. Even, 'No Name!'” This is a blend of 38% Roussanne, 31% Petit Manseng, 18% Chardonnay, 9% Viognier and 4% Muscat. The vineyard components are 52% Cumulus Estate, 19% Eleven Confessions Estate, 18% Bien Nacido Vineyard and 11% The Third Twin Estate. It spent around 20 months aging in 9% concrete eggs, 4% amphora, 9% used barrels and 78% new French oak puncheons. |
|
|
2017 |
Tectumque White Wine (1.5 L) |
$439 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 97+ (6/2019): Tectumque means “shelter” in Latin. This wine was initially going to be called “Inconnue” (“unknown” in French), but that name had already been trademarked. “Naming wines is becoming impossible,” mentioned Manfred. “Everything has already been taken. Even, 'No Name!'” This is a blend of 38% Roussanne, 31% Petit Manseng, 18% Chardonnay, 9% Viognier and 4% Muscat. The vineyard components are 52% Cumulus Estate, 19% Eleven Confessions Estate, 18% Bien Nacido Vineyard and 11% The Third Twin Estate. It spent around 20 months aging in 9% concrete eggs, 4% amphora, 9% used barrels and 78% new French oak puncheons. |
|
| Sojourn Cellars |
2022 |
Durell Vyd. Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$59 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$41.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Sphaerics |
2023 |
If and Only If Chardonnay Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$200 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98+ (7/2025): The 2023 Chardonnay If And Only If comes from a site in Upper Barn in the Alexander Valley, planted with the Wente clone by Helen Turley in 1982. The wine offers Grand Cru-like depth and intensity, packed with notes of lime oils, green apples, crushed stones, and fresh flowers. Full bodied, it offers a satin-like texture and a vibrant spine of acidity, with outstanding energy, bright saltiness, and a long finish. Stash this one away for a few years, and it should cruise well over the following decade. Drink 2025-2040.This is only Year Two for the winery. They only released the If and Only If last year, so the other two wines are new to the range. All are bottled without being fined or filtered. (Drink between 2025-2040). Audrey Frick.
VM 96 (1/2026): The 2023 Chardonnay If And Only If hails from the Upper Barn Vineyard on Alexander Mountain. The 2023 beckons you in with its depth and power, brooding with intensity and minerality while bristling with brightness and energy. Lemon oil, pear, marzipan, chalk and a lift of fresh mint unfurl in a peacock’s tail of complex flavors and aromas. Everything here is delivered with crystalline focus, leaving a palpable sense of texture and grip that begs you to take another sip, then another. The finish goes on for days. Very impressive stuff. (Drink between 2026-2036)
WA 95+ (6/2025): Bottled the week before I tasted it, the 2022 Chardonnay If And Only If is a touch shy at this stage, offering hints of panna cotta, matchstick and well-woven oak spice. The palate features pure, green tropical fruit flavors and spicy accents. Despite its concentration, its energetic acidity gives it a weightless feel, and it has a long, dynamic finish. 200 cases were made. |
|
| Stony Hill |
2024 |
Chardonnay |
$43.99 |
36 |
|
| |
| Decanter 94 (2/2026): Fruit from 1967-planted vines, the oldest Chardonnay vines in the Napa Valley, is at Haynes and Quartz Creek on alluvial soils. This wine balances plush fruit, fleshy pears, 30% new oak for 10 months, and only partial malolactic fermentation. This is a wine of elegance that balances white peach flesh, mineral-driven, mountain Chardonnay, and is oh so fresh. (Drink between 2026-2034). |
|
| Talaria |
2017 |
Napa Valley Chardonnay |
$10 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Three Sticks |
2020 |
Cuvee Eva Marie Pinot Noir |
$60 |
6 |
|
| |
| JD 91 (7/2023): The 2020 Pinot Noir Cuvee Eva Marie is a rich ruby hue and has elegant aromas of raspberry, baking spices, and roses. Medium-bodied, with a linear feel and fine tannins, with notes of orange pith, pomegranate, and dusty earth closing out the palate. It has a graceful texture and a good, clean finish. Drink it over the next several years. Audrey Frick. |
|
|
2019 |
Durell Vyd. Chardonnay |
$75 |
9 |
|
| |
| JD 90 (8/2022): The 2019 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard is savory, with notes of salted lime, melon rind, and a hint of oak that transition to the palate, with the addition of a lightly bitter almond note on the finish. It has medium body and a chalky granular texture. Drink it over the next 5 or so years. (Drink between 2022-2027). Audrey Frick. |
|
|
2020 |
Gap’s Crown Vyd. Chardonnay |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Gap’s Crown Vyd. Chardonnay |
$70 |
6 |
|
| |
VM 92 (1/2024): The 2021 Chardonnay Gap’s Crown Vineyard is a dense, textured wine. Apricot, lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers and a kiss of French oak are nicely amplified by a touch of lees-stirring that builds texture. The 2021 remains vibrant and light on its feet. It's a very pretty wine from Three Sticks. (Drink between 2024-2029). Antonio Galloni.
JD 92 (7/2023): Taking on a richer and softer floral profile, the 2021 Chardonnay Gap's Crown Vineyard is expressive of toasty oak spices, ripe peach, and a bit of smoky earth. This full-bodied white has more power and drive, with a good core of acidity, and offers notes of lemon balm and fresh pear, with more toasted spice on the finish. It’s a solid wine with good salinity. Drink 2023-2028. Audrey Frick. |
|
|
2022 |
Gap’s Crown Vyd. Chardonnay |
$70 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (1/2025): The 2022 Chardonnay Gap's Crown Vineyard is gorgeous. Creamy, open-knit and expansive, the 2022 is quite impressive. Citrus confit, marzipan, white flowers, slate and chalk are all woven together. There's a seamless quality here that is so attractive. (Drink between 2023-2030). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2020 |
One Sky Vyd. Chardonnay |
$65 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Ultramarine |
2018 |
Heintz Vyd. Blanc de Noirs |
$135 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2018 |
Heintz Vyd. Rose |
$125 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (1/2024): The 2018 Rosé Charles Heintz Vineyard is a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with 10% of the Pinot component vinified with stems. Rose petal, kirsch, mint and cinnamon all grace this striking Rosé. It’s quite attractive, but not as pure or crystalline as the Blanc de Blancs. Pretty floral notes grace the finish. Disgorged: November, 2022. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2019 |
Keefer Ranch Blanc de Blancs |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (2/2025): The 2019 Blanc de Blancs Keefer Ranch is a total stunner. Bright and focused, with tremendous depth, the 2019 is so expressive. Citrus peel, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks all race across the palate. The 2019 is so vivid, so expressive, especially in the way it marries tension and textural presence. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. (Drink between 2025-2031). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2018 |
Michael Mara Blanc de Blancs |
$150 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Michael Mara Blanc de Blancs |
$135 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 87 (2/2025): The 2019 Blanc de Blancs Michael Mara is challenging to taste. I very much admire its energy, but there is a vegetal quality that is hard to reconcile with the wine's overall polish. It may be that this fruit needed more time on the vine, or that the dosage is too low. In the many years I have tasted Ultramarine, which is very close to the beginning, I don’t remember a wine like this. In Champagne parlance, the 2019 Michael Mara reminds me of the 2011s. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. (Drink between 2025-2027). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Vineyard 29 |
2022 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (3/2025): Like a great Pessac-Léognan Blanc, the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc 29 Estate (100% Sauvignon Blanc) offers honeyed lemon, mint, crushed stone, and orange blossom, with hints of toast. Medium to full-bodied, round, fleshy, and textured, it's beautiful, deep, and layered, despite being a touch short on acidity. Drink over the coming 4-6 years. (Drink between 2025-2031) |
|
| Vineyard 7 & 8 |
2012 |
Estate Chardonnay |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 94 (5/2024): The 2012 Chardonnay Estate is terrific. Still fresh and vibrant, the 2012 offers up hints of tangerine oil, mint, vanillin, white pepper and butter. Creamy and textured, the 2012 is gorgeous today, but will drink well for another decade or so. It's a very representative wine of this era at Vineyard 7 & 8. (Drink between 2022-2027). Antonio Galloni.
WA 93 (10/2014): The beautiful 2012 Chardonnay Estate exhibits a light straw color with green tints. Honeysuckle, white peach, tangerine oil and lemon blossom characteristics are present in the complex set of aromatics. The wine is medium to full-bodied, layered, rich and impressive. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years. |
|
|
2014 |
Estate Chardonnay |
$75 |
7 |
|
| |
VM 92 (1/2025): The 2014 Chardonnay Estate is a very pretty, understated wine that has aged quite well. Hints of apricot, butter, hazelnut and candied orange peel are all typical of a ten year-old Chardonnay. It retains plenty of energy, although it is on the lighter side texturally relative to most years. There's plenty of up-front charm, but the mid-palate and finish taper off a bit. (Drink between 2024-2028). Antonio Galloni.
WA 90 (12/2015): The 2014 Chardonnay Estate is cut from the same mold, and like its sibling in 2013, it spent 14 months in 25% new French oak. The wine offers good, crisp white currant, tangerine oil and caramelized citrus. It is medium-bodied and fresh, with a hint of minerality in the background. The oak is very restrained and appropriate. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. |
|
|
2015 |
Estate Chardonnay |
$75 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 93 (1/2018): A gorgeous wine, Vineyard 7&8's 2015 Chardonnay Estate is rich and viscous on the palate, but with plenty of freshness and the hillside phenolic structure that is such a signature of this site. Lemon oil, almond, white flowers and chamomile add shades of nuance. The 2015 spent about 16 months in barrel, about 50% new. The punishing growing season took with it 50% of production. (Drink between 2017-2023). Antonio Galloni.
JD 92 (12/2017): The 2015 Chardonnay Estate is a classic California Chardonnay that has loads of upfront tropical fruit and buttered pineapple notes in a rich, medium to full-bodied, textured style. Aged 16 months in 25% new French oak, it has good acidity, background oak, and a clean, classy finish, all making for a delicious, balanced Chardonnay to drink over the coming 4-5 years. |
|
|
2018 |
Estate Chardonnay |
$75 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 94 (1/2021): The only wine I was able to taste from this estate, the 2018 Chardonnay Estate is a beauty, offering lots of lemon curd, stone fruits, white flowers, and honeyed bread-like aromas and flavors. Rich and medium-bodied, it has ample depth of fruit on the palate and picks up more toasty, almost nutty nuances with air. This beautiful, layered Chardonnay is going to keep nicely for 4-6 years or so. (Drink between 2021-2028).
WA 94 (11/2020): The 2018 Chardonnay Estate sashays out of the glass with flamboyant scents of honey-drizzled apricots, poached pears and almond croissant with touches of candied ginger, apple strudel and crème caramel. The medium to full-bodied palate nicely balances the savory vs fruit flavors, featuring loads of warm apple, baking spice and nutty layers, supported by great freshness and a satiny texture, finishing long.
VM 93 (1/2021): The 2018 Chardonnay is a very pretty, lifted wine that offers considerable immediacy and tons of appeal. Light floral and tropical accents grace this beautifully transparent, expressive Chardonnay from Vineyard 7 & 8. Drink it over the next handful of years. (Drink between 2021-2026). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2018 |
Estate Chardonnay Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 94 (1/2021): The only wine I was able to taste from this estate, the 2018 Chardonnay Estate is a beauty, offering lots of lemon curd, stone fruits, white flowers, and honeyed bread-like aromas and flavors. Rich and medium-bodied, it has ample depth of fruit on the palate and picks up more toasty, almost nutty nuances with air. This beautiful, layered Chardonnay is going to keep nicely for 4-6 years or so. (Drink between 2021-2028).
WA 94 (11/2020): The 2018 Chardonnay Estate sashays out of the glass with flamboyant scents of honey-drizzled apricots, poached pears and almond croissant with touches of candied ginger, apple strudel and crème caramel. The medium to full-bodied palate nicely balances the savory vs fruit flavors, featuring loads of warm apple, baking spice and nutty layers, supported by great freshness and a satiny texture, finishing long.
VM 93 (1/2021): The 2018 Chardonnay is a very pretty, lifted wine that offers considerable immediacy and tons of appeal. Light floral and tropical accents grace this beautifully transparent, expressive Chardonnay from Vineyard 7 & 8. Drink it over the next handful of years. (Drink between 2021-2026). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|