The end of summer calls for complex and multifaceted white wines. Chardonnay is grown successfully all over the world and this lineup represents a host of styles. From young and oaky versions to multilayered wines with some age, this grape can be grown and produced in a huge range of styles.
(98) François Mikulski Meursault Burgundy 2005 (France). This wine is an amazing representation from the heart of Burgundy. This Meursault is massive and powerful, yet round and balanced in the true Burgundian fashion. The wine remains on the palate long after you have tasted it. Dried apricot and green pear dominate the palate followed by a pronounced note of a minerality mimicking slightly wet rocks. It has a truly impressive and complex nose. ($60)
(96) Paul Pernot Bâtard-Montrachet 2005 (France). This wine has creamy aromas of apples and minerals; it is rich and silky as the wine crosses over your palate with a complex finish that will put a smile on your face. ($225)
(95) Antica Napa Chardonnay 2008 (California). It is beautifully crafted with big rich flavors of citrus, pear, apricot, melon, vanilla and a hint of spice; great depth, concentration and a long, persistent finish. ($37)
(95) Catena Alta Chardonnay 2007 (Argentina). Those of you who like that big, bold, hit-you-in-the-face buttered popcorn- and lemon butter-flavored chardonnay, look no further. This wine has nice flavors of baked apple, butter, lightly roasted nuts and an underlying mineral stream that ties it all together. ($29)
(95) Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay 2007 (California). The crisp mineral-driven Santa Lucia Highlands fruit is unencumbered by oaking, malolactic fermentation and sur-lie aging; the bright acidity and tropical fruit notes of this wine are food friendly. ($24)
(95) Porter Creek Chardonnay, Russian River 2008 (California). This wine comes into its pure expression with aromas of tropical fruit, lime and minerality that lead into an elegant, round and perfectly integrated finish. ($33)
(95) Stonestreet “Red Point” Alexander Valley 2007 (California). This is a great, single vineyard expression of chardonnay from a solid producer. The Red Point vineyard provides a wine that has powerful flavors of peach and red apple that are rounded out with hints of fresh wild flowers to make an elegant style of chardonnay. ($40)
(93) Domaine Serene Côte Sud Chardonnay 2007 (Oregon). Bright and floral aromas of citrus flower, tangerine, jasmine, spearmint, flint, pear, spiced apple, lemon custard and vanilla; the luscious palate of this wine shows ripe apricot, green apple, kiwi, lemon-lime, mineral, toast and caramel with excellent structure. ($45)
(93) Frei Brothers’ Russian River Chardonnay 2008 (California). This wine has a lush mouthfeel yet a crisp finish; nuances of pear and citrus finish with hints of vanilla and spice. It is not over oaked and is food friendly. ($17)
(93) Grgich Hills Napa Valley Chardonnay 2006 (California). Grgich does not allow this chardonnay to undergo malolactic fermentation, which keeps the wine clean, crisp and perfect for the early autumn months; vibrant and bright; flashes of crisp green apple and lemon balance well with the subtle oakiness. ($45)
(93) Robert Talbott Vineyards Kali Hart Chardonnay 2008 (California). Crisp citrus, lush tropical fruit and pear overtones drive this youthful and food friendly chardonnay. Stainless steel and neutral oak aging keep this wine vibrant and delightful. ($17)
(93) Stuhlmuller Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2008 (California). This is a wonderful chardonnay offering a nice variety of fruit flavors such as pineapple, peach, pear and a hint of lemon; nice structure with a great deal of body, finesse and a lingering finish. ($25)
(92) Catena Alta Mendoza 2006 (Argentina) This wine has an elegant nose of red delicious apples, orange blossoms and passion fruit. The mouth feel is full of flavors including orange blossoms and leaves, passion fruit, apples, hints of white pepper, subtle minerality and a persistent long finish. ($27)
(92) Domaine Chene Macon-LaRoche 2008 (France). Rich with aroma and inviting fruit, this wine sees only one year in French oak; easy on the palate; absolutely delightful to drink; a classy wine for a great price. ($15)
(92) Foley Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2007 (California). It is a rich, toasty chardonnay with nice underlying acidity; fermented and aged in primarily new French oak barrels and marked by tropical fruit, citrus and pear notes, with a luscious texture and caramel flavors to match the sweet, buttery fruit. ($25)
(92) Hopkins Vineyard River Road Chardonnay Russian River Sonoma 2008 (California). Richly aromatic notes of baked bread and ripe pears are combined with lemon meringue-like flavors that are concentrated; it is sourced from a single vineyard in the Russian River Valley, it’s hard to believe this impeccably balanced wine is not more expensive. ($25)
(92) Lake Sonoma Winery Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2008 (California). It is beautifully balanced with hints of peach, mango and citrus on the nose and palate; a racy acidity on the finish; very refreshing. ($14)
(92) Merryvale “Silhouette” Napa Valley 2005 (California). On the nose this wine shows hints of mango, vanilla and apricot. In the mouth it has an elegant attack that opens with bright citrus tones of Clementine, lemonade and crème brûlée. It has a crisp acidity with light minerality that finishes pleasantly and fresh. ($46)
(92) Morgan Metallico Unoaked Chardonnay 2008 (California). One of the best of the trendy oak-free styles; it has lovely under-ripe fruit aromas and flavors with a hint of minerality on the finish; reminiscent of Chablis. ($20)
(92) Rodney Strong Reserve Chardonnay 2007 (California). It is a full-bodied wine, with a rich mouth feel, balanced with vibrant acidity; powerful aromas of spiced apple, pear and pie crust join minerally lemon-cream and toasty oak on the palate, adding up to a compelling and thoroughly satisfying experience for true chardonnay lovers. ($28)
(92) Xavier Monnot Bourgogne Blanc 2007 (France). This wine is great Burgundy at a value price point from a top tier producer. The wine is rich and full, yet still crisp and fresh. Flavors of green apple and pear dominate the wine with hints of fresh bread, a tasty classic representation of the home of chardonnay. ($20)
(91) Acacia Carneros Chardonnay 2008 (California). These wines are made using native or wild yeast and this one remains a shining example of balanced fruit, acidity and subtle oak on the palate; tropical fruits abound and a medium body gives a supple texture that is impressive. ($18)
(91) Adler Fels Russian River Valley Sonoma Chardonnay 2009 (California). A ripe, rich and full-bodied style of chardonnay that laces the honey, pear and tropical fruit flavors with hints of spice and toast; this concentrated white has a long, lingering aftertaste combining the finesse of great Burgundy, with the ripe fruit of the Russian River Valley. ($17)
(91) Calistoga Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay 2008 (California). The nose opens with subdued green apple and pear notes; on the palate, the wine is very balanced with a caramel creaminess; apricot and pear flavors reach out and there’s a comforting oakiness in the background reminding you that you’re in Napa. ($20)
(91) Claar Cellars Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2008 (Washington State). Unoaked; smooth and appealing; ripe pear and apple; subtle cream on finish. ($13)
(91) Massolino Langhe Piedmonte 2008 (Italy). This wine has a clear yellow color; its bouquet is of green apples, hay, lemon flowers and leaves. On the mouth, ash as well as balanced acidity, are present and play with the lemon leaves, green apples and orange peel that finish with a pleasant minerality. ($27)
(91) Montes Alpha Casablanca Valley 2008 Chardonnay (Chile). The bouquet is smooth and supple, a tad reticent at first, but with time a complex arrangement of leafy greens, citrus rind and melon aromas emerge, along with a very light spice note; it is full and round, it has a wonderful, caressing mouthfeel, then pinpoint acidity arrives to firm up the grip and give rise to an array of fresh melon flavors; a rich wine, but it stays decidedly dry. ($22)
(91) Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2006 (California). Straw golden color with a vanilla, lemon and pear nose; the palate has an oak frame but with a nice fresh mid-palate; it is a fairly seamless wine showing mild nutty coconut flavors surrounding a lemon and orange peel core; medium to full bodied with refreshing acidity that gives the wine real lift and keeps the flavors bright; very good balance and good length. ($29)
(90) Coppola Diamond Collection Gold Label Monterey County Chardonnay 2008 (California). Tropical fruit aroma with a hint of mineral on the nose; a big, creamy chardonnay reminiscent of Golden Delicious Apple and pear with a touch of spicy oak and butter on the finish. ($15)
(90) Garcés Silva Amayna, Leyda Valley 2006 (Chile). From the most impressive region in Chile for chardonnay, the Leyda Valley produces a Burgundian style of wine. The wine has full flavors of cantaloupe and apple and is powerful and full on the nose. This wine is a major value for a rich, New World style of chardonnay. ($19)
(90) Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Chardonnay 2008 (California). Juicy and fresh, citrus and caramel on the nose with a baked lemon, yellow apples and hints of vanilla; very clean and elegant, this wine will surprise you. ($18)
(90) Domaine Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux 2007 (France). Pale gold color; nose of lemon with a hint of pear; wonderful attack of pure lemon; minerals are fully integrated in the fruit with a bit more presence at the dry finish; a subtle nutty note to the wine lingers at the finish; it is medium bodied with good length. ($29)
(90) Las Moras San Juan Chardonnay 2008 (Argentina). A floral nose with a hint of spice leads to flavors of tropical fruit, vanilla and a slight toastiness; crisp and lively on the finish; a good value. ($10)
(90) Macon-Lugny “Les Charmes” Chardonnay 2008 (France). From 60-year-old vines, this classic is stylish and consistent year after year; a creamy texture with hints of apple and pear. It is an excellent value. ($15)
(90) River Road Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 2009 (California). The lively tree fruit flavors of Asian pear and apple are soft and smooth; this wine’s easy drinking style lends itself well to an affordable price; great value for a wine of this quality; pairs well with lighter fare such as broiled seafood or chicken. ($15)
(90) Rusack Santa Barbara County 2007 (California). This wine is a great representation from California; the wine has bold flavors of ripe red apple and fresh honeydew melon. There are also notes of vanilla and caramel rounding out the wine and it is a great bargain for a rich, California wine. ($19)
(89) Gnarly Head Chardonnay 2009 (California). A peachy-grapefruit aroma is duplicated in the flavor as well as juicy Granny Smith apple; a hint of vanilla and oak; it is full bodied and well balanced; great for everyday drinking and fine for special occasions. ($10)
(89) Oyster Bay Chardonnay 2008 (New Zealand). A refreshing and bright chardonnay with soft butter and great tropical fruit; the initial flavor appears light but fleshes out and leaves you with a satisfying finish. ($14)
(88) Domaine de Bachellery Vin de Pays d’Oc Chardonnay 2008 (France). The bright bouquet shows off lots of grapefruit and citrus aromas, giving it something of an Aussie vibe; it is full and round, the palate has a little citrus, but mostly turns toward classic flavors of ripe apple and pear with a hint of sweetness, making for a complex sip. ($15)
(88) Cupcake Vineyards Central Coast Chardonnay 2008 (California). A big, rich chardonnay from California’s Central Coast, where the sun-drenched grapes create full and elegantly textured wines; it has decadent layers of butter, cream, bright citrus and vanilla that melt into a balance of oak and subtle spice. ($10)
(88) Indaba Chardonnay 2009 (South Africa). Citrus and tropical fruit aromas lead to a crisp, fresh palate with mouth-filling flavors of apple, pear, honey and pineapple; a gentle kiss of oak adds a creamy butterscotch nuance and wonderful depth; superb value, this versatile white is a fantastic match for a wide range of dishes. ($9)