In California, ‘Almost Magical’ Chardonnay Offers a Balance of Freshness and Flavor
These top-rated bottles of California Chardonnay are a great introduction to the state’s most popular white wine. [...] Read More... The post In California, ‘Almost Magical’ Chardonnay Offers a Balance of Freshness and Flavor appeared first on Wine Enthusiast.
“Chardonnay is one of the great chameleons in the wine world,” says Writer-at-Large Tom Capo, who reviews wines from Sonoma County. “That’s why it’s popular everywhere, and why so many winemakers love working with it.”
The grape is especially well-loved in California, where it is the most-planted white variety. While Chardonnay’s classic flavors include green apple, fig and citrus, it’s characteristically versatile and moldable. A thousand small decisions, made both in the field and the winery, can carve out unique identities.
“Really, it’s almost magical,” Capo continues. “It can be grown in warm inland valleys, or on cool and windy coastal hillsides. Winemakers can block the malolactic fermentation to keep the acids brighter or stir the lees to develop creaminess. Oak, stainless, concrete egg—there are just so many options.”
On the whole, California Chard offers an “enticing balance of mouthwatering freshness with abundant flavor,” adds Writer-at-Large Elaine Chukan Brown, who reviews wines from Napa. “The combination can be so satisfying, and I’m excited to see it becoming more and more common in these wines.”
But despite Chardonnay’s ascendance in California, there are still under-the-radar bottlings to be found. “The Santa Cruz Mountains remain somewhat of a Chardonnay gem hiding in plain sight, surrounded by the millions of people in Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area who live less than an hour away,” notes Writer-at-Large Matt Kettmann, who reviews wines from California.
In other words, California Chardonnay is an exciting category worth exploring. These top-reviewed bottles, selected by our Tasting Department, are a great place to start.
“Maybe you love it when it’s fresh, citrus-scented and floral, or decadent and rich, or somewhere in the middle,” Capo says. “No matter your preference, there’s a Chard for every palate.”
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
Samuel Louis Smith 2023 Spear Vineyard Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)
Clean and austere aromas of seared lemon and delicate honey meet with subtly tropical hints of ginger and lemongrass on the dynamic nose of this bottling. The palate is tense and vibrant, showing waves of white melon and Asian pear as the vivid acidity pushes deep into the finish. 96 points — Matt Kettmann $46 Solano Cellars
Sandhi 2022 Romance Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)
Toasty brioche aromas meet with seared nectarine and a kick of stone on the nose of this bottling. There’s a tremendously pithy texture on the palate, where a granite-like minerality carries vibrant flavors of citrus and brioche pastry. 96 points — M.K. $95 K&L Wines
Peay Vineyards 2022 Maritima Estate Chardonnay
The nose of this clean and focused Chardonnay is overflowing with aromas of bright citrus, oyster shell and bouquets of fresh cut white flowers, while the energetic palate vibrates with flavors of lemon pith, green apple, pineapple sage, lemon balm and river stones through a long and intricate finish. Exceptional now, this will flourish with a little time in the cellar. 96 points — Tom R. Capo $80 Wine.com
Wentworth 2022 Nash Mill Vineyard Chardonnay (Anderson Valley)
This wine is zesty, with aromas of yellow apple, mango, citrus, orange blossom and spiced vanilla on the nose. The flavors bring Bosc pear, Satsuma orange and candied apple, sliding into white grapefruit, dried bay leaf, sedimentary rock, mineral and a dry, mouthwatering finish. Pair with grilled halibut with celery root and potato gratin. 95 points — Tonya Pitts $83 Verve Wine
Cobb 2021 Doc’s Ranch Vineyard JoAnn’s Block Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)
Beautiful aromas of honeysuckle, orange blossom, river rocks and Meyer lemon dominate the nose of this focused and lively Chardonnay. The palate vibrates with punchy citrus flavors and minerality, ebbing and diving through a long finish with loads of energy. 95 points — T.C. $86 Solano Cellars
Failla 2022 Estate Chardonnay (Fort Ross-Seaview)
Minerality and tension reign in this offering of biodynamically farmed, higher-elevation, coastal Chardonnay. The nose gives aromas of apple blossom, Meyer lemon and river rock, while the palate exhibits vibrant tension between lime pith acidity, salty mineral and apricot flavors that evolve and linger in waves for over a minute. Drink 2026–2040. Cellar Selection. 95 points — T.C. $60 The Wine Stop
DuMOL 2022 Wester Reach Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)
Pahlmeyer 2022 Chardonnay (Napa Valley)
Both richly flavored and mouthwatering, this Chardonnay offers a well balanced expression of a generous style. Juicy, ripe, yellow fruits and sweet pear are pleasantly spiced, carried through a long finish by brightening acidity. Delicious. 94 points — Elaine Chukan Brown $130 Wine.com
Roar 2022 Rosella’s Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)
From the Franscioni family, which settled in this region back in 1886, comes this delicious Chardonnay, opening with clean lines of Meyer lemon, creme fraiche, blanched almond and a hint of stone. The tightly textured palate offer honey drizzled peach flesh aromas alongside sea salt and toasted coconut. 94 points — M.K. $60 K&L Wines
Inversion 2023 Fredy Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Tightly wound aromas of grapefruit rind, light apple and crushed stone converge on the dynamic nose of this bottling. The palate is very tightly wound, ensuring a long life as it presents flavors of grapefruit zest and brisk Asian pear. Drink now-2035. Cellar Selection. 94 points — M.K. $38 Inversion Wines
Las Jaras 2021 Alder Springs Vineyard Chardonnay (Mendocino County)
This wine offers bright acidity, with aromas of apple, clementine, white blossoms and dried herbs on the nose. Flavors on the palate are Moroccan lemon, pink grapefruit and spice colliding into sedimentary rock and orange creamsicle, layered with a lip-smacking, dry finish. Pair with grilled abalone, butter and white summer truffle. 94 points — T.P. $78 Las Jaras Wine
More Chardonnay Coverage
- It is the golden age of Italian Chardonnay, and you should be very excited.
- Consider taking a wine vacation to one of the most beautiful Chardonnay regions in the world.
- These less-planted but equally compelling whites make worthy alternatives to Chardonnay.
- We decode some of the more confusing terms used to describe Chardonnay.
- The color of your Chardonnay is very important. We explain why.
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