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Woody spice, bright lemony lift, and heady floral notes define the seductive nose of this Chardonnay. The medium-bodied palate unfolds with layers of biscuit and toast, complemented by a medley of melon flavors. -JR
The Next Door Neighbor Chardonnay, tasted alongside the Ritchie Vineyard bottling, is an engaging study in contrast. While the Ritchie leans into rich, toasty oak, this wine highlights a more fruit-driven and textural style. Supple orchard fruit, buttered croissant, and quince define the aromatics, carrying seamlessly onto the medium- to full-bodied palate. Layers of crushed almond, a touch of honey, and ripe pear-skin tannins extend through a long, graceful finish. Sourced from Lone Oak (65%) and Flora Marie (35%) vineyards, this Chardonnay is composed of 65% Old Wente and 35% Montrachet clones, fermented with native yeast. The wine was aged 11 months in 37% new French oak and one stainless-steel barrel. Domaine de la Rivière is a family-owned winery nestled in the renowned Middle Reach neighborhood of the Russian River Valley. Growers since 2011, they released their first vintage in 2017.
Sourced entirely from Ritchie Vineyard and crafted from Old Wente Clone Chardonnay, this wine is fermented with native yeast and aged 11 months in 27% new French oak, followed by two months in stainless steel barrels before bottling. The bouquet is stunning—bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of baked citrus, orchard fruit, honeysuckle, and jasmine, all layered with the richness of buttery French pastry and crème brûlée. On the palate, all that opulence comes together beautifully, with lemon laced in wildflower honey and toasty wood tones building to a crescendo on the long, candied-mineral finish. Domaine de la Rivière is a family-owned winery nestled in the renowned Middle Reach neighborhood of the Russian River Valley. Growers since 2011, they released their first vintage in 2017.
All you really need to know about this Rita’s Crown Chardonnay is that one glass will never be enough. You’ll swirl, sniff, sip—and suddenly want to chase its magic for days. It holds the energy of a late afternoon thunderstorm, with a moody edge and an electrically zesty palate, like a raincloud squeezing out lemon juice, shifting to lemon oil, then unleashing waves of fresh and candied ginger. It splashes across the palate like rain on slick slate—slightly smoky from the first drops hitting warm stone. Irresistible, complex, and utterly compelling. You just can’t get enough of this structured, dynamic, and gorgeous Chardonnay. It lives on the far side of “delicious”—a word we haven’t invented yet, but one that would mean delicious multiplied by infinity.
The golden hue hints at what’s to come—a ripe, toasty, and voluminous Chardonnay layered with crème brûlée, charred pineapple, salted lemon peel, and rosemary-herbed almonds. Despite its richness, the palate retains a refreshing coolness from lively acid tension, finishing lip-smackingly bone dry. Quite a wine. Sourced from the winemaker’s estate vineyard, the Chardonnay was hand-harvested, barrel-fermented, and aged 15 months sur lie in 50% new French oak with bâtonnage before being bottled unfiltered. Established in 2017 by Elaine and Mark Sale, Elaine Wines produces fewer than 200 cases annually.
A generous and expressive Chardonnay from the famed Sangiacomo Vineyards, it opens with buttered croissant and yellow apple before gaining momentum and complexity on the medium-bodied palate. Layers of unctuous stone fruit, charred pineapple, and lemon-lime acid tension support the ripe, succulent fruit profile and all that toasty, buttery oak goodness. This Chardonnay is sourced from two Sangiacomo family vineyards: Roberts Road Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, where fog and wind keep temperatures cool, and Green Acres Vineyard in Sonoma Carneros, which benefits from the marine influence of San Francisco Bay. Aged for 11 months in French oak barrels (30% new).
This 100% Chardonnay comes from two blocks within the Rocchioli-Allen Vineyard, an iconic site planted just south of the Rochioli Vineyard. Aged for 10 months in 35% new French oak. It’s a full-throttle Chardonnay brimming with toasty brioche and salted lemon peel, layered with apricot, white peach, and charred pineapple on the palate. For all its richness, the wine retains excellent, cooling acidity—a hallmark of this exceptional site. Gary Farrell Winery has been a pioneer of the Russian River Valley wine scene for over 40 years.
Located near the Laguna de Santa Rosa, the Lorenzo Vineyard is the coldest Chardonnay site from which Landmark sources fruit each vintage. Whole-cluster-pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast, the wine is then aged for 14 months in 100% French oak (35% new). It boasts an impressively bold nose of overripe citrus, toasted almonds and custard, while the palate tightens with citrus-driven, saline mineral tension. The finish is expressive, carrying toasty and nutty notes that linger with real authority.
Packs a punch of butterscotch and toffee, crème brûlée, and candied peach rings, with a palate-coating, toasty richness that carries through the long, oak-kissed finish. This is no shy Chardonnay—bold, creamy, and unapologetically hedonistic—yet beneath all the luxurious oak, the ripe orchard and tropical-leaning Sangiacomo fruit still shines through. It’s not a wine for the Chardonnay faint of heart or for anyone seeking Chablis; this is Chassagne-Montrachet on steroids. The 2022 Sangiacomo Chardonnay is sourced from grapes grown at the Kiser Vineyard off Arnold Drive in the cool, windy Sonoma Carneros AVA, just north of San Pablo Bay. Whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast, the wine was aged in French oak (35% new).
The nice thing about the OTTO Line is that the tasting notes are right there on the label. It’s a medium-bodied wine offering juicy pear, a squeeze of lemon zest, and crushed almonds—at least according to the front label, and I’d agree wholeheartedly, though I’d also add white flowers to the mix. There’s a touch of candied ginger and a wonderfully warm, saline mineral quality. The label also notes that the wine is made from sustainably grown grapes and contains no added sugar, which is perhaps more a nod to consumer misunderstanding—most wines are dry and don’t contain added sugar to begin with, but that’s a whole other conversation for another time.
Sourced from Wente and Mt. Eden clones in Durell Vineyard, this Chardonnay offers lovely, ripe, and succulent orchard fruit notes softened by aging in one-third new French oak and neutral oak puncheon, giving the wine a beautifully silky, satiny texture. The oak profile is balanced and subtle, weaving a tapestry of elegant cedar spice around understated tropical fruit tones of white peach, pineapple, and overripe pear. Fine apple-skin tannins carry a gentle sprinkling of salinity, and the wine finishes with excellent energy and length.
Expressive orchard fruit lifts from the glass in this single-vineyard Hawk Hill Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast. It’s almost impossible not to swallow—it vibrates with energy and tension the moment it hits the palate, in a way that’s unmatched by many Chardonnays from this region. While it reflects a stylistic shift taking hold here, this wine is refined, lively, bright, and focused. Citrus spray, apple, and pear fruit come through, with even a touch of apple-skin tannin, but what makes it so crushable is the salinity. It’s like liquified Pink Himalayan sea salt—super expressive and monumentally delicious. The vineyard is “nestled in the confluence of the Green Valley and Freestone sub-AVA’s, where Salmon Creek and Russian River watershed meet,” according to Marine Layer’s technical sheet. Grapes are whole cluster direct to press and cold settled overnight. Ferments in concrete egg and neutral oak puncheon. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Some lees stirring, and aged 11 months, bottled unfined and lightly filtered.
Stylistically similar to the estate Vineyard Milea BDX Red Blend, this wine leans darker, with forest berry fruit, conifer, and cedarwood spice. Medium- to full-bodied, it delivers supple, juicy dark fruit layered with a touch of salty dark chocolate and lifted by blood orange acidity. The finish is long, expressive, and remarkably fresh.

Harvested just after midnight to preserve freshness, this white was made with precision and intention—sourced from the north-facing side of the vines to enhance its lean, mineral character. Inspired by the wines of Southern Burgundy, it was whole-cluster pressed, barrel-fermented in neutral French oak, and aged sur lie for six months. A Burgundian yeast strain was used to further emulate the region’s style. The result is a mineral-driven wine bursting with peach, pear, and yellow apple. The palate showcases pure stone fruit flavors with a refined, almost delicate elegance. -JR
The 2022 Samsara Chardonnay hails from Francesca Vineyard, a windswept, seven-acre site on the far western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills, where sandy-loam soils and full Pacific exposure yield intensely concentrated fruit. Aromatically, it lifts from the glass like a perfectly buttered bowl of popcorn—rich with caramel, smoky toasted oak, and butter croissant notes. Despite the decadent nose, the palate is more focused and linear, with plenty of mid-palate richness layered with baking spices. Bright lemony acidity keeps it taut, balanced by citrus oil richness—think lemon and tangerine—finishing with salted, toasted almonds. A bold, generous expression of Chardonnay from this extreme coastal site.
From Durell Vineyard. The sandhill at the top of this site isn’t sand at all but diatomaceous earth, and Gaffner works with three clones planted there: Wente, See, and Rued. The nose is intensely mineral, with a chalky edge, salted Marcona almonds, flinty notes, and well-measured toasty oak spice. The palate has real depth and flavor, showing apricot, white peach, pear, and yellow apple, all carried by a saline-toned minerality. A touch of lemon-cream lift comes through on the finish, a hallmark of Gaffner’s long, slow, cool fermentation with malolactic completing later.
From Durell, Sangiacomo’s Green Acres, and Catarina, where they work with a unique Chardonnay selection that reminds Jeff Gaffner of Riesling. The wine is barrel-fermented long and cool, with malolactic held back until the following spring; he stirs the lees through winter before allowing ML to finish naturally. The result is a layered, deeply textural Chardonnay with a complex, nuanced oak profile and impressive acid freshness. Extremely ripe quince, candied ginger, and a touch of saline drive the finish. Just dynamite.
Sangiacomo’s Green Acres Hill Vineyard in Carneros, planted entirely to Wente clone, yields a highly aromatic Chardonnay with a lift of lemon-cream foam that expands across the palate. Subtle tropical fruit richness and a thread of apricot follow, joined by beautifully integrated cedarwood and a clean, wet-slate minerality. The finish is laser-focused and long. A super expressive, multidimensional wine from winemaker Jeff Gaffner.
The Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay from Jeff Gaffner is wonderfully fragrant, zesty and fresh—exactly as Hyde is meant to be. Pure citrus notes rise from the glass, nuanced by white-flower aromatics and crushed-almond accents, all embraced by sumptuous, well-integrated oak spice. The medium-bodied palate builds both richness and volume before giving way to a host of saline, rocky mineral characters that carry the wine through a long, invigorating finish.
Such an alluring nose of anise, fennel, and lemon cream and French pastry, apricot jam and flinty minerals, all coming together on the palate framed by richer tropical notes of grilled pineapple, and white peach, with butterscotch cream and lemon zest, supported by zingy acid tension and a toasty oak finish. This Roberts Road Vineyard Chardonnay from Jeff Ganer is one of the more richer styles of Chardonnay he produces, and if you love that style this is your bag baby.
The Chehalem Mountain Vineyard, near the top of the Chehalem Mountain AVA, sits at 400 feet and is planted mostly on volcanic soils. Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak, this is a serious wine that benefits from a little air. It builds in the glass with bright orchard fruit, crisp green-apple skin, and delicate white-floral and warm brown-baking-spice notes. Absolutely pretty, completely crushable, and wonderfully mineral on the lengthy finish.
From the Eola Springs Vineyard in Oregon. Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. This is a very focused, very linear Chardonnay — clean, crisp, and intensely mineral-driven, with a cool wet-river-stone quality and a touch of pulverized chalk. Whispers of lemon and lime citrus mingle with white flowers, subtle almond, fennel blossom, and a hint of anise. Very lovely. Very pristine.
This Chardonnay opens with bold aromas of Meyer lemon and sweet, toasty oak that mellow beautifully on the palate. Layers of lemon oil, apricot, ripe yellow apple, and pear create a rich fruit salad character, all framed by zesty acid tension. The finish evokes the indulgent pleasure of a decaadent, powdered sugar-dusted lemon bar.
Expressive, focused, complex, and superbly balanced. The wine opens with flinty minerality and bright citrus—Meyer lemon and grapefruit—before unfolding into a silky, weighty mid-palate layered with creamy lemon curd, apricot, crushed almonds, and white flowers. The finish is long, driven by saline-acid tension that’s nearly impossible to beat. It feels like a brilliant cross between the best of Chablis and the far western Sonoma Coast—yet remains unmistakably Long Island, with its sea spray lift, lime-bright acidity, and mouth-puckering grip that beautifully balances the wine’s fleshy mid-palate. Wonderful energy and exceptional precision. “This wine follows in the footsteps of our best 1994 Chardonnay, which launched the fine wine reputation of Wölffer Estate,” says winemaker Roman Roth. Twenty percent of the wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation, and it remained sur lie on whole lees for eight months with minimal bâtonnage.
Sourced from Pruett Vineyard, bottled unfiltered, and available exclusively through the 3 Steves wine club, this white is both expressive and refined. The nose bursts with notes of apricot, ripe peach, and yellow apple, accented by a stylish touch of butterscotch.The medium- to full-bodied palate is spicy and rich, yet maintains an elegant posture, with well-balanced weight and freshness. -JR
A blend of Radian and Bentrock fruit. We select the most extreme expressions from both vineyards—those with the most intensity and edge—which ultimately make their way into the Estate bottling. The result is a wine of harmony and precision, with a mix of white flowers, citrus, and orchard fruit. There’s a real purity to the fruit character, with finely delineated notes of apple, pear, nectarine, and white peach. An incredible thread of saline-acid tension runs through it all, accenting a perfectly spicy element that lifts the richness of the fruit. The wine shows marvelous mid-palate density yet finishes with an ephemeral lightness of being—melting away with grace.
This is the kind of Chardonnay I could drink from morning to morning. Bennett Valley, an ancient geological crater bordered to the west by Sonoma Mountain and the Petaluma Gap AVA, traps cold air as it spills over the mountain, creating a bowl-like effect that necessitates frost protection throughout the growing season. Fruit from this site was gently whole-cluster pressed and sent directly to barrel for fermentation with native yeasts, including roughly 25% new French oak. Aged for 16 months, the resulting wine is bright and focused on the nose, with inviting aromas of candied citrus peel, baking spices, toasted oak, and a hint of candied ginger. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it mirrors the aromatic complexity, with warming notes of vanilla, crushed Marcona almonds, and citrus peel carried through a lengthy, layered finish. Rich yet precise, this is a beautifully composed and texturally compelling wine.
Le Rayon Vert is a barrel-select cuvée that undergoes extended élevage, spending 14 months in oak followed by six months in stainless steel, with additional time in stainless steel prior to bottling. The wine is then held for a further six months before release. Fruit is sourced from three sites in Bennett Valley: two hillside vineyards and one valley-floor site. The aromatics are super bright and expressive, led by citrus peel and flinty minerality, with subtle toasted cedarwood and spicy ginger notes. On the palate, there is a radiant core of electric acidity and saline mineral tension that brings terrific focus and energy. As with the previous vintage, the finish is long and layered, marked by bright, crunchy apple spice and a lingering wet-slate mineral note.
The 2023 Simpatico Ranch Chardonnay marks a textural departure from the 2022 vintage. Whereas the 2022 was softer and suppler, the 2023 is fresher, more dynamic, and longer on the palate, with focused tension and a deeper layering of candied ginger and rich brown baking spices—almost like brown sugar spice—unfolding along the finish. Sea spray minerality carries the day, complemented by lemony citrus and tangerine zest, alongside characteristic apple blossom and nutty, spiced nuances that emerge on the lingering finish. Captivating and mouth-watering.
Totally captivating from the first sniff to the last sip, this Chardonnay opens with a burst of bright oyster shell minerality, layered with lemon zest and yellow apple that evolve into quince and ginger on the palate. Apple skin tannins lend texture and tension to this electric, acid-driven wine. Rich tangerine oil is beautifully balanced by Sta. Rita Hills’ signature lemon-lime brightness and sea spray salinity. A masterful wine—bracing yet rich, structured yet giving. Subtle hints of honeydew and honeycomb emerge on an almost everlasting finish. This should continue to develop wonderfully over the next decade, making it one to savor now or cellar with confidence.
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This ridge-top vineyard is fully exposed to the afternoon winds funneling in from the Pacific through the “gap,” a defining feature of the Petaluma Gap viticultural area. Whole-cluster-pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast, the wine is aged for 14 months in French oak (33% new). One of the freshest whites I tasted from Landmark for my inaugural Sonoma Report on Cristaldi & Co., that brightness carries straight onto the palate. Lemon peel and lemon curd mingle with toasty oak spices, while candied ginger and poached, spiced pear drive the creamy mid-palate. The finish brings a wave of sea-spray minerality and a touch of tannic grip—likely a function of the thicker skins from this wind-lashed site—alongside cool wet-rock notes balanced by more decadent toasty-oak accents.
This marks the first time a sparkling wine from this iconic vineyard has come across my desk. Crafted in the traditional method with secondary fermentation in bottle, it spent 28 months on the lees, developing lovely baked apple and toasty brioche richness. Lemon-lime aromatics mingle with nougat, while the creamy, enveloping mousse resolves beautifully through a lime-bright acid freshness.
Tension, tension, tension. This is one of the finest Chardonnays I’ve tasted from this winery—elegant yet electric. Refined aromas of lemon, apricot, and nougat rise gently from the glass, leading into a satiny-textured palate layered with juicy, plump white peach. Slate-stone minerality and sea spray acidity frame the wine with precision, driving a long, mouthwatering finish that hums with energy and finesse.
The Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard Chardonnay was aged 19 months in 33% new French oak, resulting in a slightly riper fruit profile than the Westlands bottling. Tropical and stone fruit lead the way, with notes of white peach, apricot, and candied citrus peel. Rich, toasty baking spices wrap around layers of charred pineapple, while a long, saline-driven finish brings energy and focus. A dazzling, beautifully balanced wine. Founded in 2006 by proprietor John Sweazey, and guided by winemaker Katy Wilson since 2014, Anaba produces limited-production Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Rhône-style wines, many from exclusive vineyard partnerships.
I love this Chardonnay’s focus and precision. Highly aromatic, it opens with hints of salted lemon peel, lime blossom, and crushed Marcona almonds. Medium-bodied yet rich in character, it offers impressive depth of fruit alongside a long, salt-stone mineral finish that keeps the wine light, bright, and full of energy. Notes of candied ginger and quince linger gracefully after the first sip. Chardonnay barrels are hand-selected each vintage for this bottling, with the wine aged 17 months in 40% new French oak. Founded in 2006 by proprietor John Sweazey, and guided by winemaker Katy Wilson since 2014, Anaba produces limited-production Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Rhône-style wines, many from exclusive vineyard partnerships.
This Le Rayon Vert is a Barrel Select Cuvée that undergoes an extended élevage, spending six months in stainless steel following its time in oak prior to bottling. The nose is strikingly flinty and toasty, with layers of nectarine, kumquat, and orange peel with spicy ginger. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it offers intense grip and saline-acid tension that energizes the structure. The finish is long and warming, with a lingering note of apple pie spice that rounds out the wine’s vibrant core.
The Simpatico Ranch Chardonnay is a study in elegance and aromatic complexity. Winemaker Justin Harmon has worked with this site since 2009, and the depth of familiarity shows in the wine’s finesse. It opens with captivating notes of black licorice, wild fennel, and tarragon, layered over salty citrus fruit and delicate apple blossom. There’s a distinctive herbal lift—like cold chamomile tea—that interplays beautifully with high-toned orchard fruit and expressive baking spices. The palate shows excellent concentration, anchored by a firm bed of juicy, crunchy acidity that carries through a long, vibrant finish.
To fully appreciate this wine, you need the backstory, as laid out on the back label: “First there was Nuits Blanches, a blue label Chardonnay born from the frustration Jim Clendenen felt toward the critical response for his Chardonnays. It was bold, brash, obvious, and overwhelming. The 2000 vintage XXth Anniversary Chardonnay marked a style reconciliation. The richness and aggressiveness of the Nuits Blanches style would be tempered with the balance, acidity, and complexity of the Au Bon Climat ‘Bouge’ style. Power and elegance. Big entry and persistent finish. This bottling comes from ABC’s Bien Nacido ‘K’ Block Estate, and the Le Bon Climat Estate Vineyard across from the Santa Maria River. Now [the late] Jim can have his toast, and eat with it, too!” And on that note, this toasty, gorgeously focused Chardonnay opens like a morning walk on the beach, sea spray minerality weaving through the air like the scent of just-baked croissants. Lush and supple—like the underbelly of a crashing wave laced with lemon juice and lime zest—it delivers a cascade of white flowers and salted Marcona almonds. There’s a squeeze of tangerine, the bite of kumquat, and a whisper of butterscotch that lingers with subtle, enticing richness. Jim would be proud.
A gorgeously focused Chardonnay, exhibiting remarkable restraint and precision. Lime-bright acidity drives its linear profile, while oyster shell minerality, quince, and ginger weave through with layered nuance. Despite its taut structure, the wine reveals impressive mid-palate density and salinity, delivering both width and depth. It manages the rare feat of combining gravitas with sheer levity.
The 2022 Sexton Hill Vineyard Chardonnay comes from a site in the Sebastopol Hills with vines rooted in classic Goldridge soils. Aged 18 months in 25% new French oak, it’s a ripe, orchard fruit–driven wine with crisp, crunchy acidity and lingering notes of buttered croissant and almond pastry. Rich and attractive without ever feeling heavy, it remains lean, focused, and full of flavor
The 2022 Twin Ridges Chardonnay is sourced from a site rooted in Goldridge soils and composed of Wente, Robert Young, Clone 96, and Clone 4 selections. Aged 18 months in 30% new French oak, it’s clean, balanced, and beautifully focused, with alluring orchard fruit aromatics accented by hints of ginger and delicate French pastry. The palate shows great energy and tension, with layered flavors and a refined, medium-bodied finish.
Expressive citrus and orchard-fruit notes lift out of the glass alongside tarragon, wild fennel, almond paste and a gentle touch of cedarwood spice. The palate is zesty and chalky-mineral, lingering with richer tones of lemon curd, grilled herbs and creamy caramel, yet the wine remains crisp, crunchy and beautifully balanced throughout.

Aromatically, this white leads with candied Meyer lemon peel, lime blossoms, and a burst of apricot and pear. The palate of this white is racy and vibrant, yet layered and textural, with a deeply expressive core of citrus-driven fruit. Soaring acidity propels the wine into a very long finish marked by crushed stone minerality and exotic baking spices.
This Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay is unabashedly full-flavored, leaning confidently into its toasty oak profile, which drives both the aromatics and the finish. Between those layers, notes of lemon, lemon curd, bruised yellow apple, and honeysuckle emerge, adding depth and warmth. Bold and expressive, this is not a Chardonnay for the faint of heart—but it’s one that pairs beautifully with a fine cigar or a contemplative evening.
Woody spice, bright lemony lift, and heady floral notes define the seductive nose of this Chardonnay. The medium-bodied palate unfolds with layers of biscuit and toast, complemented by a medley of melon flavors. -JR
The Next Door Neighbor Chardonnay, tasted alongside the Ritchie Vineyard bottling, is an engaging study in contrast. While the Ritchie leans into rich, toasty oak, this wine highlights a more fruit-driven and textural style. Supple orchard fruit, buttered croissant, and quince define the aromatics, carrying seamlessly onto the medium- to full-bodied palate. Layers of crushed almond, a touch of honey, and ripe pear-skin tannins extend through a long, graceful finish. Sourced from Lone Oak (65%) and Flora Marie (35%) vineyards, this Chardonnay is composed of 65% Old Wente and 35% Montrachet clones, fermented with native yeast. The wine was aged 11 months in 37% new French oak and one stainless-steel barrel. Domaine de la Rivière is a family-owned winery nestled in the renowned Middle Reach neighborhood of the Russian River Valley. Growers since 2011, they released their first vintage in 2017.

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