Top Wines and Values in California Chardonnay More Than 450 Wines Were Reviewed for This Report
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Top Wines and Values in California Chardonnay More than 450 wines were reviewed for this report. A free alphabetical list is available at www.winespectator.com/073112. WineSpectator.com members can access complete reviews for all wines tasted using the online Wine Ratings search. For additional recommendations among recent releases, see “California’s Best Chardonnays,” beginning on page 34. TOP WINES TOP WINES (continued) WINE SCORE PRICE WINE SCORE PRICE AUBErt Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Ritchie Vineyard 2009 96 $80 ROCHIOLI Chardonnay Russian River Valley Rachael’s 94 $72 Rich yet subtle, with bold fig, honeydew, apricot and savory fla- Vineyard 2010 vors that are full-bodied and tapered, ending with a burst of fruit. Intense, with a fresh, firm mix of tangerine, nectarine, white peach and wild flowers. Gains dimension, with a fantastic finish. SHIBUMI KNOLL Chardonnay Russian River Valley Buena Tierra 96 $70 Vineyard 2009 Unctuous, with a creamy mix of tangerine, honey, nectarine, apri- TOP VALUEs cot and juicy peach, all kept dancing by nice acidity. Kiss of toasty WINE SCORE PRICE oak on the finish. MORGAN Chardonnay Monterey Metallico Un-Oaked 2010 91 $20 KISTLER Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Parmelee-Hill Vineyard 95 $75 Fresh and lively, with floral, honeydew and honeysuckle scents Stone Flat 2008 and a refreshing a mix of white peach and nectarine flavors. Intense, full-bodied, with rich layers of smoky oak, ripe fig, melon BOGLE Chardonnay California 2010 89 $10 and roasted marshmallow, notes of nutmeg and anise. Complex and vibrant, the citrus-laced mineral, pear and honeydew KONGSGAARD Chardonnay Napa Valley The Judge 2009 95 $175 build on the finish, with a touch of nutmeg. Complex aromatics of ripe pear and apple, with hazelnut and an- BUEHLER Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2010 88 $16 ise notes that are intense yet elegant. Finishes with pure, green- Initially intense, then turns delicate, with white peach, nectarine, skinned fruits and honeydew. honey, cinnamon and light oak. Very complete. LIttOraI Chardonnay Russian River Valley Mays Canyon 2009 95 $60 CALEra Chardonnay Central Coast 2010 88 $18 Stylish, with aromas of ripe honeysuckle, orchard fruit, spice, pear Clean, pure and complex, echoing spice, ripe apple and melon, and melon. Firm and textured, while remaining elegant. with a light cedary edge. MarcassIN Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 95 $125 CHamISAL Chardonnay Central Coast Stainless Unoaked 2011 88 $18 Marcassin Vineyard 2007 Crisp and refreshing, with snappy flavors of lemon- and citrus- Moves gracefully from primary flavors of peach and citrus to a laced green apple, honeydew and spice. Clean finish. broader range of charred oak, mineral, even butterscotch. Smooth, deep and rich. SEBASTIANI Chardonnay Sonoma County 2010 88 $13 Bold, and complex, with tiers of fig, honeydew, spice and light TOR Chardonnay Sonoma Valley Durell Vineyard 95 $54 toasty oak. Good quaff, with personality. Wente Clone 2010 Flavorful, a big wine that’s graceful and elegant, with honey, pear, STERLING Chardonnay Central Coast 88 $14 fig, butterscotch, toasty oak, roasted marshmallow and tangerine. Vintner’s Collection 2009 Fresh and snappy, with green apple, pear and floral scents. Vibrant FLOWERS Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Moon Select 2009 94 $70 acidity provides a cleansing aftertaste. Delightfully fragrant, with rich yet elegant peach, honeysuckle and spice. Impressive for its lithe body, persistence and depth. BUENA VIsta Chardonnay Carneros 2009 87 $19 Clean and refreshing, with zesty citrus-laced green apple, spice THE HESS COLLEctION Chardonnay Mount Veeder 2009 94 $35 and honeydew Ripe and layered, with pear, honeydew, subtle citrus and floral scents, and a rich yet elegant mouthfeel. Young and tight. DE LOacH Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2009 87 $18 Pure, with subtle peach, apricot and honeydew flavors, finishing PaUL HOBBS Chardonnay Sonoma Mountain 94 $100 with a twinge of citrus. Cuvée Agustina Richard Dinner Vineyard 2009 Seamless expression of fig, melon, peach and grilled fig flavors, FESS ParkER Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2010 87 $18 with roasted marshmallow notes. Full-bodied, yet dances along. Full-bodied and complex, with spicy, toasty oak, ripe pear, apple and melon; touch of youthful rawness. LEWIS Chardonnay Napa Valley Reserve 2010 94 $65 Impressive balance of richness and finesse. Concentrated, pure BABCOCK Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2009 86 $18 and focused, with a beam of fig, melon, baked apple and spice. Intense, with baked apple and pear flavors and a spicy, earthy edge. Cloying aftertaste. MALDONADO Chardonnay Napa Valley 94 $42 Los Olivos Vineyard 2009 CHALONE Chardonnay Monterey County 2010 86 $12 Pure, deep and focused, with nectarine, honeysuckle, fig and cit- Clean and simple, with direct flavors of pear, snappy green apple, rus, gaining dimension on the finish. spice and honeydew. MOUNT EDEN VINEyarDS Chardonnay 94 $55 FOUR VINES Chardonnay Santa Barbara County Naked 2010 86 $12 Santa Cruz Mountains 2009 Sleek, with a grapefruit-lemon edge that gives a snappy freshness. Fresh and snappy upfront, with zesty citrus, green apple and pear; BISHOP’S PEAK Chardonnay Central Coast 2010 85 $15 turns pithy midpalate, followed by a mouthwatering finish. Clean and fresh, with zesty, citrus-laced green apple flavors. PaHLMEYER Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2010 94 $75 B.R. COHN Chardonnay North Coast Silver Label 2010 85 $15 Tour de force, with smoky oak, fig, honeydew and baked apple; Easy-drinking, clean and simple, with flinty green apple and melon yet for all its size, it remains elegant. flavors..