Archive: USA: California: Chardonnay (N through Z)
Napa Cellars 2008 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($24). Offers an appealing lemony tang alongside medium-bodied golden apple, ripe pear, and moderate touches of cream and spicy oak, with a moderate, clean finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-07-19)
Napa Ridge 1998 Chardonnay North Coast Coastal Vines ($10). An excellent value for this full-bodied, complex wine. This has to be one of the most dependable California Chardonnays at this price level. It will stand up to the most sophisticated of food preparations, so don’t be shy. In fact, try sneaking some of this into the glass of your favorite wine snob — the one who thinks good Chardonnays start at $25. Bet he/she will be surprised! (Weekend Wine, 06/00)
Navarro Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay Anderson Valley ($25). Crisp green apple aromas and flavors float above a core of creamy melon, buttered toast and baking spices. Easy to like. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-08)
Nelson Family Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay Mendocino ($21). The fruit really shines here — fresh, juicy apple and pear — with deft touches of cream, spicy butterscotch and toast that emerge on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-01-14)
Newlan Vineyards & Winery
2000 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($17). A hint of white truffle in the bouquet leads in to crisp, juicy apple and pear fruit, smoothing out into a creamy finish that includes butterscotch and toasty oak. Nicely balanced. Really delicious. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine, 08/02)
1998 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($16). This wine is bright and racy, with spicy apple pie flavors balanced with a focused lemon acidity. Nice, clean finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 11/00)
Neyers
2003 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($26). Restrained pear and apple flavors are deftly layered with citrus, mineral, earth, warm spices and toasty oak. (Weekend Wine 03/05)
2000 Chardonnay Carneros ($30). This is a complex wine, offering a rich bouquet and sophisticated flavors. Lovely pear fruit is accented with dried fig and apricot, toasted hazelnut, and rich oak. Generous finish that just keeps getting better. Beautifully made. Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Richard’s Picks, 02/02)
Novella 2001 Chardonnay Paso Robles ($11). Subtle apple aromas lead to apple pie flavors, including nutmeg and butter, with a sweet vanilla and almond finish. Nice overall package. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks 06/04)
Oberon 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($20). Nicely built at this price, offering dark currant and blackberry fruit aromas and flavors accented with caramel, baking spices and a touch of herbal character. Long, concentrated finish. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-16)
Ojai Vineyard
2007 Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard ($30). Restrained toasty notes accent ripe nectarine and tropical citrus fruit, with a rather intense crisp mineral character supporting it all. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-09-09)
2007 Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Solomon Hills Vineyard ($30). Juicy, rich, aromatic pineapple and melon fruit stays lithe and silky through the long finish, picking up lemon zest on the way. Rich but not overly so. Ready to drink now and over the next three of four years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-09-09)
2006 Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills Clos Pepe Vineyard ($40). The prettiest of the bunch, with nuanced nectarine, apricot and pineapple aromas and flavors, nice acidity through the finish, and a complex slate note that lingers deftly. Ready to drink now, but should age nicely over the next five or six years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-09-09)
Orogeny 2005 Chardonnay Sonoma County Green Valley ($25). Mouthwatering citrus aromas introduce lush, creamy pear, lemon, toasty vanilla and a touch of earthiness that linger on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 10/07)
Ortman Family Vineyard 2003 Chardonnay Edna Valley ($24). One of the tasting favorites, with its smooth, polished fruit flavors, including apple, pear, fig and citrus, finishing with an elegant creamy character that lingers generously. Ready to drink now. (World Wide Wine 12/05)
Paraiso Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands ($18). Fans of the richer style of Chardonnay will appreciate the affordability of this wine, offering plenty of oak, butter, toast and cream accents to the pretty pear, tangerine and lemon zest flavors, with a long, full finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2012-01-14)
Patianna Organic Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay Mendocino County ($17). Pretty white floral aromas accent lush apricot, peach and pear aromas and flavors, with a clean, bright finish that picks up touches of baking spices, toast and just a hint of vanilla. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2011-10-06)
Paul Hobbs
2006 Chardonnay Russian River Valley ($45). Very pretty, floral and tropical fruit aromas and flavors, including melon, mango and honeysuckle that are full-bodied and evolve through the generous finish. Rich but clean style. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (Robyn’s Picks 08/08)
2000 Chardonnay Sonoma Valley Kunde Vineyard ($42). Outstanding bold fruit flavors include ripe pear, apple and fig, with hazelnut and spice nuances. Generous, lingering finish continues to evolve and gain complexity. Wonderful now and over the next three or four years. (Richard’s Picks, 02/03)
2000 Chardonnay Russian River Valley ($38). Rich and full-bodied, with ripe apple and fig fruit layered with crème brulee, orange rind and floral notes. Finish is generous but clean. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Richard’s Picks, 02/03)
1999 Chardonnay Walker Station ($65). Ripe, elegant pear, fig and tropical accents intermingle with mineral and apple pie spices. Assertive flavor profile and lingering, creamy finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Richard’s Picks, 02/03)
Pine Ridge
2006 Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Dijon Clones ($33). Pretty nectarine aromas and flavors are layered with lemon curd, toasty oak and a touch of fresh mineral on the smooth finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (Robyn’s Picks 08/08)
2000 Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Dijon Clones ($25). Ripe pear and concentrated apricot fruit is accented with vanilla oak, spice and honey. Creamy mouthfeel. Lingering finish. Very nice. Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Robyn’s Picks, 12/02)
1998 Chardonnay Stags Leap District ($28). Medium-bodied, bright yellow, full of lush tropical fruits and bright citrus, this is a very nicely balanced Chardonnay. Very enjoyable lingering finish. This is fantastic now, but can also cellar for a good 5 years. (Robyn’s Picks, 06/00)
Ramey 2000 Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hudson Vineyard ($56). A textbook example of why California Chardonnays became famous – rich and ripe, but still balanced, with waves of pear, honeyed fig, and nectarine fruit layered with toasty oak, caramel and hazelnut. Generous, lingering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two years. (Splurge Wine, 06/03)
RH Phillips
2000 Dunnigan Hills Chardonnay Toasted Head ($14). This is a wonderful example of just how good a moderately-priced California Chardonnay can be. Balanced and focused, offering bright citrus and spicy pear fruit on the one hand, and buttery vanilla oak on the other, with mouthwatering acidity to tie it all together. Easy to pair with a wide range of foods. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 06/02)
1999 Chardonnay Dunnigan Hills ($9). (91% Chardonnay, 9% Viognier) Nice citrus, tropical fruit, vanilla, and a nudge of spice. Viognier smoothes this baby out, making for a wonderfully clean and refreshing wine. (ETFOFW, 01/01)
Ramey 2000 Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hudson Vineyard ($56). A textbook example of why California Chardonnays became famous – rich and ripe, but still balanced, with waves of pear, honeyed fig, and nectarine fruit layered with toasty oak, caramel and hazelnut. Generous, lingering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two years. (Weekend Wine, 07/03)
Rancho Zabaco 1998 Chardonnay Russian River Valley ($17) — A sophisticated wine with intriguing layers of sweet pear, toasted pecan, and spice framing a bright citrus fruit core. The very enjoyable finish lingers but remains clean and fresh. Very good now, this wine will age nicely for the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine, 10/00)
Reynolds Family Winery 2007 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($29). Clean, intense fruit is the star here — crisp pear and apple along with lively citrus and juicy white peach, with deft accents of toast, dough and spice through the elegant finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-11-03)
Robert Craig
2001 Chardonnay Russian River Valley Sonoma County ($24). Creamy, rich bouquet leads to fig, apricot and creamy pear fruit, with smoky oak, toasted hazelnut and nutmeg accents. Ready to drink now and over the next two years. (Robyn’s Picks, 10/03)
2000 Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros ($24). Complex and deliciously well balanced, with juicy pear, nutmeg-spiked apple, and a touch of citrus fruit on the one hand, combined with rich vanilla oak on the other. A wildflower honey note emerges on the creamy lingering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Winery Spotlight, 04/02)
2000 Chardonnay Russian River Valley ($24). Ripe pear is jazzed-up with opulent tropical fruits, including mango and creamy pineapple, and accented with orange peel and toasty oak. Very nice acidity and balance. Quite a flavor punch that continues through to the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Winery Spotlight, 04/02)
Robert Mondavi
2006 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($20). Really nice — a lot of elegance and balance for twenty bucks. Offering sleek pear and melon flavors that stay focused through a full finish, picking up balanced accents of cream, vanilla and citrus along the way. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-04-01)2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley Reserve ($40). A wonderful balance between creamy richness, bright acidity and an appealing mineral character, with ripe pear, fig, hazelnut, spice and oak notes that come together on the smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine 11/07)
2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($20). Lively green apple and pretty citrus mingles with creamy, coconut oak and warm spices, with a long, balanced finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 11/07)
1999 Chardonnay Carneros ($23). A more Burgundian styled Chardonnay, with elegant pear, peach, and citrus fruit balanced on restrained spicy oak. Lovely finish stays clean and fresh. Ready to drink now and over the next two years. (Richard’s Picks, 02/02)
1997 Chardonnay Napa Valley Reserve ($36) — Classic California Chardonnay, featuring an outstanding balance of ripe melon and pear and crisp citrus. Touches of hazelnut and oak linger on the rich finish. Delicious now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 11/00)
Rochioli 2008 Chardonnay Russian River Valley Estate Grown ($50). I absolutely loved this wine. Hits a delicious balance between rich and bright. Butterscotch aromas accent ripe red apple and tropical pineapple flavors, but just when you think the whole thing is going to top out in creamy richness, it gets focused and sleek. With orange rind and stony mineral notes that linger on the complex finish. Again, loved it. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-07-06)
Rodney Strong
2008 Chardonnay Russian River Valley Reserve ($35). Impressive structure and balance, with layers of rich baked apple, pastry, cream, mineral, toasty oak, and picking up bright acidity through the rich finish. Appealing now, but also shows aging potential. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.
2008 Chardonnay Sonoma County Chalk Hill ($20). Liked the zip of citrusy acidity that supports ripe pear and fig flavors, picking up mineral and cream accents through the bright finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-10-28)
2007 Chardonnay Chalk Hill ($20). Smooth and silky, offering ripe pear and apple fruit, pie crust, toasty oak, vanilla and light mineral notes, with a lingering, creamy finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-08-26)
2007 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($15). More straightforward than the Chalk Hill, with lemon zest and toasty oak lacing crisp apple and pear flavors. Long finish picks up a touch of cream. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-16)
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Estate ($25). Deep and sensuous, with rich blackberry and plum fruit aromas and flavors laced with pretty spices and light toasty notes. Easy, smooth tannins make this ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-16)
2006 Chardonnay Sonoma County Chalk Hill ($20). Very nice, with smooth pear and fig balanced with bright citrus, aromatic toasted hazelnut and a touch of creamy vanilla that lingers on the complex, spicy finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-16)
2005 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($15). An appealing, aromatic mix of lush apple, bright lemon, toasty vanilla and baking spices offers nice acidity and a generous finish. Great value here. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks 02/07)
2004 Chardonnay Chalk Hill Sonoma County ($19). Really liked this wine – and a great deal at this price. With its juicy pear, pretty citrus, creamy texture, mineral freshness, toasty oak and outstanding focus and length, this wine is a winner. Ready to drink now. (Winery Spotlight 08/06)
2004 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($15). Nice mouthfeel, features juicy citrus and crisp apple up front, evolving to toasty, creamy vanilla on the end along with a touch of smoke. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 04/06)
Rombauer Vineyards
1999 Chardonnay Carneros ($28). Another winner from Rombauer. Rich bouquet and flavors, featuring sophisticated pear and fig, with creamy oak and appealing spices. Lovely finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Richard’s Picks, 02/02)
1998 Chardonnay Carneros ($25). The 1997 was a hard act to follow, but this manages just fine. Brighter and crisper than its older sister, this wine still echoes the creamy palate of pear, vanilla, hazelnut, and a touch of spice to great effect. (Wine Tasting Party, 02/00)
1997 Chardonnay Carneros ($26). This wine has a beautiful, rich yellow color and an outstanding nose. Orchard fruits, including lots of pear, mixed with fig and vanilla and hazelnut and just enough spice make for a breathtaking wine. Should cellar for another couple of years, but it is too good to pass up now. (Tony’s Splurge Picks, 10/99)
Round Hill 2008 Chardonnay California Oak Free ($12). Crisp and refreshing, with green pear and apple, pretty lemon and a juicy finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-08)Rutherford Hill
2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($20). Aromatic, with a balance of ripe pear, citrus zest and spices, with more pear syrup character on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Splurge Wine 02/08)
1999 Chardonnay Napa Valley 25th Anniversary ($17). This Chardonnay is buttery and rich, but with good balance and acidity. Good spicy oak and a refreshing finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Richard’s Picks, 12/01)
Saintsbury 2008 Chardonnay Carneros ($20). Ripe but balanced, offering bright tropical citrus and rich creamy character playing off crisp green apple and tangerine notes. Long, mouthwatering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-12-08)
Sanford 1997 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County ($15). Our tasters thought this full-bodied beauty had a wonderful extended finish and combined a silky melon flavor with a nice Chardonnay oakiness and just a touch of citrus (tangerine, anyone?). (Wine Tastings, 6/99)
Sbragia Family Vineyards
2008 Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley Home Ranch ($26). Loved the purity and silky texture here, with pretty nectarine and crisp pear accented with zesty lemon notes, along with stony mineral notes, a touch of cream, and light biscuity notes. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-10-01)
2007 Chardonnay Dry Creek Home Ranch ($26). Lovely stuff, striking a nice balance between ripeness and elegance — with pretty pear and honeysuckle aromas and flavors playing against ripe tropical citrus and focused lemon zest, with spice and roasted nuts on the long finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-07-03)
2006 Chardonnay Napa Valley Gamble Ranch Vineyard ($40). Intensely aromatic and flavorful, with full-bodied ripe pear, fig, caramel, a touch of citrus, baking spices and toast. Finishes long and lush — with enough complexity to keep it from seeming over the top. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-03-13)
2005 Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley Home Ranch ($25). Very nice, with smoky oak underlying peach, pear and lemon zest flavors that are ripe but elegant, with dashes of caramel, cinnamon and clove emerging on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks 06/07)
2006 Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley Home Ranch ($26). Beautifully aromatic, offering fresh-cut citrus, ripe pear, marzipan and light smoky notes that repeat on the palate, along with fig and spicy vanilla that linger on the full finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (Robyn’s Picks 08/08)
2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley Gamble Ranch Vineyard ($40). Very pretty, with concentrated tropical and nectarine flavors playing against ripe pear, creamy vanilla, toasted almond and a touch of smoke. Long, focused, mouthwatering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine 01/08)
Schug Carneros Esatate 1998 Chardonnay Carneros Heritage Reserve ($25). This winery specializes in producing Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays with a Burgundian flair. Their is a fine example. It has wonderful balance and acidity, with sophisticated flavors including pear, spice, white truffle, and elegant oak. The finish is generous and clean. Wonderful now and over the next three years. (Weekend Wine, 11/00)
Sebastiani
2006 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($15). Appealing for its ripe, aromatic pear fruit and interesting accents of tropical citrus, wildflowers, fig and fresh herbal notes. Long, complex finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-16)
1999 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($16). Medium-bodied and balanced, this wine is pure pleasure. Versatile with food. Ripe apple and concentrated sweet fruit is accented with a citrus note and subtle oak. Ready to drink now and over the next year. (Winery Spotlight, 08/01)
Sequoia Grove 1998 Chardonnay Carneros ($18) — Rich, ripe mango, pineapple, and pear fruit notes are upfront and generous here, with enough acidity to balance things out. Good, lingering finish. Ready now. (Weekend Wine, 11/00)
Shafer
2009 Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Red Shoulders Ranch ($48). Elegant and lush, with crisp nectarine playing off ripe pear, smooth melon, tropical citrus and accents of hazelnut and spice through the structured finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2011-10-28)
2001 Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Red Shoulder Ranch ($37). Rich, honeyed tropical aroma introduces complex layers of ripe pear, peach, and mandarin fruit flavors, with nutmeg and toasted hazelnut accents. Generous, full finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend wine, 04/03)
Simi
2006 Chardonnay Russian River Valley ($26). Elegant and silky, with smoke and delicate citrus supporting ripe Golden Delicious apple, peach and melon fruit, with vanilla and spice accenting the generous finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-04-13)
2006 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($18). Nice! With plenty of cream and oak, but also bright lemon zest, nectarine, fig and pear flavors that add up to a balanced wine. Picks up warm spice on the lingering finish. Ready to drink now. (Winery Spotlight 10/07)
2005 Chardonnay Russian River Valley ($25). A full-bodied Chardonnay, with rich, creamy character and ripe tropical fruits, but balanced with some bright citrus. Picks up cream and hazelnut through the long, full finish. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks 04/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2005 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($17). Ripe tropical melon and pineapple aromas and flavors are accented with juicy citrus, creamy vanilla and toasty oak. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 10/06)
2004 Chardonnay Russian River Reserve ($25). Elegant layers of pear, toasty hazelnut, cream, orange zest, stone and toasty vanilla fold into a lingering, pretty finish. Ready to drink now. (Winery Spotlight 10/07)
2004 Chardonnay Russian River Valley Reserve ($25). A melange of ripe tropical fruits lead the way here, including mango, melon and pineapple, with toasty vanilla, hazelnut and restrained smoky cedar giving interest to the silky finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 10/06)
1999 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($17). Appealing floral and citrus aromas give way to round fruit flavors accented with toasted hazelnuts and a touch of honeyed fig. Lingering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Richard’s Picks, 08/01)
Snap Dragon 2007 Chardonnay California ($9). A heck of a deal, offering juicy apple, melon and citrus aromas and flavors with a generous, slightly spicy finish. Easy and refreshing. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-09-07)
Solaire by Robert Mondavi 2007 Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands ($15). Fans of rich, creamy Chardonnay will love this affordable example. And there’s also some pretty fruit — tropical citrus, melon — to balance things out. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-04-25)
Solaris 2004 Chardonnay Monterey County ($12). Loads of juicy apple, tropical melon and peach flavors are accented with toasty oak and vanilla, with a refreshing touch of citrus on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/06)
Sonoma Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($15). This “unoaked” style offers fresh, crisp pear, green melon and a kick of citrus on a medium-bodied frame. Stays fresh through the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-02)
2005 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($15). Quite a tasty Chardonnay at a great price, featuring clean, juicy pineapple, citrus and a touch of lush peach that mingle on the fresh finish. Unoaked. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 08/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Souverain
2008 Chardonnay Alexander Valley ($17). Lots of racy, mouthwatering, juicy fruit here — green pear, white peach, lemon curd — with touches of cream and toast through the finish. Very nice for the price! Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-04-27)
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley ($20). Herbal and black currant aromas and flavors offer nice concentration and length, picking up cocoa and baking spices through the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-16)
St. Clement
2003 Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros ($16). Lovely array of aromatic citrus and floral notes lace juicy pear and apple flavors. Finishes smooth and silky, with a touches of spice and smoke. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 08/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2002 Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley ($16). Rich and creamy, in the bouquet and on the palate, but with refreshing crisp apple, quince and mineral notes that give balance. Classic California Chardonnay here. Finishes with toasty, vanillin oak. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 03/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2001 Chardonnay Carneros Abbotts Vineyard ($20). Nice balance of smooth orchard fruit and bright acidity, including a lemon zest note. Rich, buttery finish. Good value, especially for a single vineyard Chardonnay. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks, 02/04) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2001 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($16). Lovely balance of ripe pear, apple and floral aromas and flavors, accented with delicate toasted vanilla and spice notes, with an elegant, lingering finish. Medium-bodied; nicely structured. Very good value here. Ready to drink now. (Winery Spotlight, 02/04) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2000 Abbotts Vineyard Chardonnay ($20). Round and flavorful, showing ripe pear and dried apricot fruit balanced with citrus and a touch of smoke. Generous finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Party Planning, 04/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2000 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($16). Distinctive and well-priced, this wine is a winner. Fig and melon up-front, with citrus joining in on the mouthwatering finish. Accents include toasted hazelnut, bread, and oak. Nice balance and acidity – very food friendly. Ready to drink now. (Party Planning, 04/02)
1999 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($16). This has long been one of my favorite wineries, and this is a really excellent Chardonnay vintage from them. Concentrated and rich, with a sophisticated range of flavors and a super long-lasting finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Excellent value. (Richard’s Picks, 12/01)
Souverain 2007 Chardonnay Alexander Valley ($17). I was struck by the silky texture of this wine, as well as its elegance. A nice combination at this just $17. With pretty pear aromas and flavors, some juicy peach along the way, and a creamy, silky texture that doesn’t overwhelm the fresh, crisp character of the wine. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-02-04)
St. Francis 2009 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($15). Fresh peach, apple and pineapple flavors, accented with white fig and plenty of creamy, toasty, lightly buttery oak on the spice-laced finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2011-04-22)
St. Supery
2007 Chardonnay Napa Valley Oak Free ($25). Nice! With focused lemon curd, apple blossom, green pear and juicy melon aromas and flavors that linger on the full, fresh finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-09-20)2006 Chardonnay Napa Valley Oak Free ($22). Crisp and clean, with aromatic lime zest and chive notes that accent green pear and nectarine. Easy to pair with a wide range of spring and summer foods. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Robyn’s Picks 04/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley Oak Free ($19). Tastes clean and pure — a nice balance between refreshing and rich. With aromatic freshly-cut pear and white melon accented with brioche and cream that fold together on a focused finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine 10/06) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2004 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($19). Concentrated and full-bodied, with aromatic toasted hazelnut and warm spices accenting ripe pear, fig and butterscotch flavors, with a long, spicy finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine 10/06) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2000 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($19). Focused pear and tropical fruit flavors are slightly exotic but still elegant, with crisp green apple, mineral, and a complex undercurrent of creamy oak, yeast, and earth. Delicious finish. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine, 10/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.
1999 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($18.50). Easy to like, with bright pear and melon fruit and touches of citrus and oak. Medium bodied. Nice finish. We paired it with blackened snapper and grilled vegetables. (Weekend Wine, 04/01) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Stags’ Leap Winery
2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($28). Rich and creamy, with honeyed fig, pear, peach, toast and a touch of citrus that keeps things fresh and appealing. Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks 04/07)
2003 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($23). Ripe fig and peach fruit mingles with toasty oak and warm, spicy vanilla — quite nice and a long, generous finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 03/05)
2002 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($22). Beautifully integrated aromas and flavors include buttery pear, citrus and nutmeg, picking up a very light chalk/mineral note. Stays focused from beginning to lingering finish, for an overall lovely wine. Very good. Ready to drink now. (Winery Spotlight, 08/04)
Steele 1999 Chardonnay California Steele Cuvee ($18). Lush and rich, with ripe fruit, butter, and plenty of creamy vanilla oak. Good acidity keeps it from being over-the-top. Generous finish. A blockbuster style wine at a reasonable price. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 01/02)
Steele
1999 Chardonnay California Steele Cuvee ($18). Lush and rich, with ripe fruit, butter, and plenty of creamy vanilla oak. Good acidity keeps it from being over-the-top. Generous finish. A blockbuster style wine at a reasonable price. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 07/02)
1999 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County Goodchild Vineyard ($28). Packing a flavor punch that includes ripe pear, fig, and guava, with citrus, spice and toasty oak on the opulent finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 07/02)
Sterling Vineyards
2007 Chardonnay Mendocino Organic ($13). Excellent value, with a complex array of crisp green apple and pear, nectarine, stone and light spice notes that mingle on a medium-bodied finish. Nice. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-13)
2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($15). An appealing lemon zest note weaves through ripe pear and peach fruit, ending with toasty, vanillin oak and a final burst of citrus. Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks 04/07)
2004 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($17). Pretty pear and melon flavors are laced with spicy, toasty oak, vanilla and a dash of refreshing citrus on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 02/06)
2002 Chardonnay North Coast ($17). Spicy bouquet and golden straw color. Deftly balanced lemony acidity adds zest to clean apple and pear fruit flavors, picking up a touch of cream on elegant, subtly lingering finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 05/04)
1997 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($15). A good bold Chardonnay from one of my favorite winemakers. Very high quality, classic Chardonnay tastes with a great finish. I like this one very much. (Richard’s Picks, 6/99)
Stone Cellars by Beringer
2004 Chardonnay California ($8). Juicy apple and sweet peach fruit are light and easy, with vanilla and cream on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 10/05)
2003 Chardonnay California ($8). Smoky oak shades pear and apple fruit flavors and aromas, with just a touch of creamy vanilla on the finish. Nothing complex, but shows some depth. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 02/05)
Stonestreet 1997 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($24). I sampled this recently for the first time, and wow! was it good. Really my kind of Chardonnay. Full bodied with rich oak and a fantastic finish that really spotlights the wonderful pear and lush fig flavors. Outstanding. (Richard’s Picks, 08/00)
Sullivan Vineyards 2004 Chardonnay Napa Valley Private Reserve ($30). Heady honeysuckle and wildflower aromas introduce complex flavor layers, including citrus zest, honey, green fig, pineapple, crisp pear and lemon that mingle on the long, elegant finish. Subtle acidity keeps things bright and food-friendly. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Splurge Wine 10/06)
T Vine 1997 Chardonnay Carneros ($18). Great with Sea Bass! This wine really grew on me. At first, I thought it was riding the fence too much — neither rich and oaky, nor citrusy and crisp. But then I paired it with the sea bass, and it was great! Sea bass is sometimes a challenge to pair with a wine. Strong, oily, rich, and adaptable to a wide range of preparations. But this T Vine Chardonnay was perfect. (RLT, Weekend Wine, 04/00)
Talbott Vineyards
2002 Chardonnay Monterey Sleepy Hollow Vineyard ($43). Ripe, fleshy apricot and pear flavors linger and evolve, picking up cream, toasty oak and pretty spices along the way. Quite appealing. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 10/05)
2001 Chardonnay Monterey County Cuvee Cynthia ($60). Aromatic, smoky butterscotch accents rich, ripe pear and fig flavors, finishing with touches of toasty oak and hazelnut. Full-bodied but stays elegant throughout. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 10/05)
TAZ 2006 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County ($20). A big, full bodied Chard, with plenty of ripe fruit and buttery character, but balanced with appealing sleek lemon that cuts through the richness. Ready to drink now.
Testarossa
2001 Chardonnay Santa Barbara-Monterey Counties Castello ($26). Opulent and full-bodied, with ripe pear and tropical fruit flavors that are accented with vanilla oak, honeyed apricot, and light citrus. Rich, generous finish. A good value for lovers of big Chardonnays. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 11/03)
2001 Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard ($35). Lovely structure and balance in this medium- to full-bodied wine, featuring luscious pear and fig fruit layered with fresh citrus, hazelnut and light herbal notes that emerge on the lingering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 11/03)
Toad Hollow 2010 Chardonnay Mendocino County Francine’s Selection Unoaked ($15). Appealing for its fruity crispness — plenty of bright lemon and other citrusy notes accenting stonefruit and smooth apple flavors. Nice palate weight and just a touch of creaminess on the palate. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2012-01-14)
Tolosa 2005 Chardonnay Edna Valley Edna Ranch No-Oak ($16). Very nice, with clean nectarine, pear and juicy lime notes that mingle on the mineral-tinged, fresh finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 09/07)
Trefethen Vineyards 1998 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($21). This wine is crisp and acidic with good pear and green apple fruit and a very enjoyable earthy note. Finishes clean. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 11/00)
Truchard 2000 Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros ($30). This is just a beautiful wine — balanced and showing perfect acidity, with spicy pear and tropical fruit accented with subtle oak and French vanilla. Lush finish that just keeps going! Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. A lovely match to a shrimp and crabmeat “cheesecake” appetizer. (Weekend Wine, 06/02)
Turning Leaf 1999 Coastal Reserve Chardonnay Central Coast ($9). A lovely Chardonnay with apple, pear, and grapefruit, as well as smoky toasted flavors on the nose are a telling introduction to this easy to drink wine. Full bodied with soft oak character and a dry finish, pour this in your coconut cup and serve with grilled tuna and wild fruit chutney. (And we will all agree we could actually make that happen on the island). (ETFOFW, 02/01)
Two Tone Farms Chardonnay Napa Valley ($12). Easy to enjoy, with moderate apple and pear fruit, bright citrus, juicy nectarine, and a mellow vanilla, buttery finish. Ready to drink now. (Quick Entertaining, 02/04)
Valley of the Moon 2006 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($16). Very nice indeed, with bright, crisp, aromatic nectarine accented with toasty vanilla, tangerine, spice and toasty oak. Long, rich, juicy finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-16)
Viansa 1997 Chardonnay Reserve ($N/A). Crisp and fruity with layers of apple, pear, and tropical fruits that effectively cut through the creaminess. Definitely not a mild, retiring Chardonnay. (Weekend Wine, 02/01)
Villa Mt. Eden
2002 Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard Grand Resserve ($13). Full-bodied pear and fig fruit flavors are layered with roasted hazelnut, spice and creamy vanilla – all gaining intensity on the lush finish. Lovely. Excellent value. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks 06/04)
1999 Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard Grand Reserve ($17). Tasty fruit with hazelnut, vanilla, and toasty oak notes. I thought this might be a bigger wine, since it is a reserve, but it is more medium-bodied with a medium-length finish. Good price for a reserve, though! Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks, 12/01)
1997 Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard Grand Reserve ($15). Light and crisp, with good fruit flavors like apple and pear, along with touches of pear and honeydew, this wine is eminently drinkable — just try to watch the gulping. Ready now, and should hold for another year or so. (Richard’s Picks, 06/00)
Waterstone 2002 Chardonnay Carneros ($18). Rich, creamy melon and pear fruit is layered with orange rind, and vanillin, smoky oak. Lingering finish evolves nicely, picking up sweet butter balanced with moderate citrus acidity. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine 01/05)
Wattle Creek
2005 Chardonnay Mendocino County ($26). Cream and earth notes tropical melon and crisp pear and citrus flavors, picking up toasty oak through the finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 10/07)
2001 Chardonnay Mendocino ($25). Attractive lemon peel and spice accents on bouquet. Creamy, musky honeydew and tropical citrus flavors. Creamy finish with underlying minerality completes an overall elegant wine. Very nice. Ready to drink now. (Robyn’s Picks, 06/04)
Wente
2007 Chardonnay Livermore Valley Eric’s ($22). A stainless-fermented, no malo style, offering clean, crisp apple and pear aromas and flavors that pick up a touch of refreshing citrus through the focused finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-29)
2008 Chardonnay Arroyo Seco Monterrey Riva Ranch ($20). Ripe, tropical fruit-focused and aromatic, with honeyed fig and cream accents, along with fresh mango and toast notes. Nice complexity for the price, with a long, lush finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-29)
2007 Chardonnay Livermove Valley Nth Degree ($N/A). Beautifully balanced, with a mouthwatering refreshing note on the finish that brightened the rich, lush, ripe flavors — ripe red apple, pear, pie crust, spice. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-29)
2006 Chardonnay Livermore Valley Morning Fog ($15). Pretty apple and spice aromas and flavors are displayed in a medium-bodied, fresh style. Not overly complex, but easy to drink – well chilled on a patio, please. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/08)
2002 Chardonnay Livermore Valley Karl Wente The Nth Degree ($36). Smooth vanillin oak, butter and sweet cream aromas and flavors support, rather than dominate, apple, fig, pineapple and citrus zest flavors that persist through a generous finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine 07/05)
2002 Chardonnay Arroyo Seco Riva Ranch Reserve ($16). With its clean, pure focus and pretty pear, citrus, toasty vanilla and lightly spicy oak notes, it is easy to like. Moderate finish stays fruity and crisp. Ready to drink now and widely available (particularly at the McGee table!). (Weekend Wine 07/05)
White Truck 2007 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County ($12). For some reason, I didn’t have high hopes for this one, even though I think Cline Cellars (the winery responsible for the Red Truck and White Truck wines) makes some very good wines, including that original Red Truck blend. But what a nice surprise this unoaked Chardonnay turned out to be. Balanced, with ripe pear playing against crisp apple and a touch of citrus, staying fruity and focused through the clean finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-11-03)
Wild Horse
2007 Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyards Unbridled ($24). Pretty apricot and pear fruit pick up aromatic baking spice notes and fold into a long, creamy, vanilla-laced, nutty finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-03-23)
2006 Chardonnay Central Coast ($17). Ripe tropical melon fruit aromas and flavors are balanced by juicy apple, crème brûlée notes, toasty oak and a touch of crisp citrus. Easy to like. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2004 Chardonnay Central Coast ($20). Deliciously balanced, with ripe pear, tropical fruit, lime zest, zingy acidity and finishing with just a touch of buttery, creamy vanilla. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Winery Spotlight 06/06) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2000 Chardonnay Central Coast ($16) Tasted at Houston’s La Griglia restaurant. Showing nice balance between creamy ripe fruit on the one hand and nice spice and acidity on the other, we very much enjoyed this wine. It is a food-friendly wine that paired quite well with a range of dishes, including La Griglia’s delicious signature Shrimp and Crab Cheesecake starter. (Weekend Wine, 12/01) Locate this wine online or in your area.
William Hill
2007 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($22). Clean, aromatic and pretty, with floral accents to the pear, nectarine and green fig fruit, and creamy vanilla emerging on the long finish. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-08)
2004 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($21). Sleek lemon, lemon zest and mineral notes accent ripe pear and peach, finishing with toasty oak. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 10/06) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2003 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($13). Plenty of smoky, spicy oak accents juicy apple and tropical melon fruit, ending with toasty, creamy, vanillin oak. Medium-bodied, with a moderate finish, but showing some nice balance and structure – particularly at this price. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks, 08/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2002 Chardonnay Napa Valley Reserve ($20). Spicy pear fruit is crisp and clean and layered with buttery, toasty oak, cream, fresh nutmeg and just a touch of orange rind. Focused finish. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks, 08/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Windwalker Vineyard 2000 Chardonnay Grand El Dorado ($18). Spicy pear and juicy apple fruit are echoed in the fresh, appealing bouquet. Mouthwatering acidity. Picks up a mineral note on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Robyn’s Picks, 12/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Woodbridge 2002 Chardonnay California ($8). Light citrusy aromas and flavors. Nice mouthfeel, but not much going on here. Picks up a little orange pith on the slightly bitter finish. (Richard’s Picks 06/04)
Zaca Mesa
1999 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County Zaca Vineyards ($15). Focused and bright, with pear and spicy apple up front, followed by a citrusy zing. Nice acidity. A great thirst-quencher! Ready to drink now. We enjoyed it with a marinated shrimp and calamari salad. (Weekend Wine, 05/02)
1998 Chardonnay ($15). Very nice and clean tasting, with pear and spice flavors. Also a refreshing citrus note, but not too much. Very drinkable now, and it should stay that way for at least a couple of years. Great label, too! (Richard’s Picks, 11/00)
ZD Wines
Chardonnay California ($34). The complexity here comes more from the fruit than the oak, with layers of pineapple, pear, apricot and lime zest, with understated floral and creamy vanilla notes on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-07-03)
2002 Chardonnay California ($30). Pretty pear and fig fruit is laced with aromatic honeysuckle and herbal notes, picking up a burst of citrus on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 03/05)
