Sign In/Subscribe

Cristaldi Scores

Producer
Producer
More
Country
Country
More
Vintage
Vintage
More

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2023

Aaaaa The Hilt

Estate Chardonnay

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.

2023

Argot

Chardonnay

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.

2023

Argot

Simpatico Ranch Chardonnay

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.

2023

Au Bon Climat

Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay

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.

2023

AUTEUR

Bacigalupi Chardonnay

A wild yeast, low production (249 cases), Old Wente Clone Chardonnay from one of Sonoma’s most celebrated vineyards, this white sees no malolactic fermentation. Lifted aromas of golden apples, toast, honeysuckle, white tea leaves, and ripe citrus lead into fantastic flavors of lemon, white peaches, and hazelnuts. Packed with elegance and verve, this is excellent from start to finish. – J.R.

2023

Cambria Estate Winery

Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay

From Katherine’s Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley—owned by Katherine Jackson—this is a bold, rich, and toasty Chardonnay bursting with yellow peach, pineapple, ripe apricot, and vanilla crème brûlée, all drizzled in a creamy caramel sauce. For all its decadence, the wine remains surprisingly bright on the palate, with a warming spice richness at the core and a lengthy, juicy, slightly salty finish. You could never go wrong pairing this with one of Julia Child’s classic roast chicken dishes.

2023

Concannon Vineyard

Reserve Chardonnay

Sourced from Block 16 of the Concannon estate, this Chardonnay was crafted under the direction of winemaker Brett Fikse—who officially stepped into the role in 2023 after more than a decade working in the cellar and lab since 2012. Fermentations were split between barrel and stainless steel: the barrel lots underwent malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging for about 3 months, while the stainless steel lots did not. The components were blended after 9 months. The result is a vibrant, well-balanced Chardonnay with bright citrus fruit and rich, toasty caramel aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers silky baked apple and pear flavors, accented by a hint of candied ginger on the long, refreshing finish.

2023

DANCIN

Allongé Chardonnay

Super zesty, with sea spray–infused wild herb minerality and bright straw aromatics. Medium-bodied, it delivers beautiful purity of orchard fruit on a complex mid-palate, with lemony acid tension and crushed almonds on the finish. Bright, energetic, and focused—a tremendous value at this price.

2023

DANCIN

Capriccio Chardonnay

Dijon and Wente clones fermented and aged in neutral French oak barrels for six months. Bright and citrusy, with crunchy acidity and appealing notes of apple and pear. The finish is long, clean, and laced with baking spice—very lovely and beautifully balanced.

2023

Darcie Kent Estate Winery

DeMayo Vineyard Chardonnay

The DeMayo Vineyard is a small, 4-acre Chardonnay site in the Crane Ridge area of the Livermore Valley, located just south of Tesla Road, ranging from about 1,000 feet down to 600 feet in elevation. Grapes are whole cluster picked, then fermented and aged for 8 months in 60% new French oak. This Chardonnay opens with a rich, toasty, and buttery nose, layered with orchard fruit, poached pears, vanilla accents, and baking spice. The palate is bright and energetic, with a lengthy finish that underscores the wine’s dynamic character.

2023

Davis Bynum

River West Vineyard Chardonnay

Sourced from a vineyard on a low riverside bench, this white is big, but also refreshingly lemony. Everything feels wonderfully dialed up in this big-fruited Chardonnay. So it’s all on balance, from its warm and spicy aromatics to its rich peach flavors. – J.R.

2023

Domaine Bousquet

Reserve Organic Chardonnay

There’s a LOT of bang for the buck in this organic, hand-harvested Chardonnay from one of Argentina’s most consistent producers. Peach, pear, apples, and light spice abound, with a balanced mouthfeel. Talk about a major value. – J.R.

2023

Domaine Bousquet

Unoaked Chardonnay

Sourced from high elevation vineyards, this shows excellent balance and quality for the price. Bright citrus, rich tropical fruits, and a hint of honeysuckle all make for an easy and enjoyable quaffer. – J.R.

2023

Dusty Nabor

Bentrock Vineyard Chardonnay

Sourced from the famed Bentrock Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA—perched right next to Radian on the literal edge of the AVA boundary—this Chardonnay from Dusty Nabor is almost comical in name alone, because the wine itself is anything but. Bentrock is, in fact, the dusty neighbor to Radian, where powdery white diatomaceous soils are relentlessly blasted by Pacific winds. The result? A Chardonnay so salty and lemon-charged you’d be forgiven for thinking it hailed from Chablis—or even a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. But no matter where your mind places it, this wine is unmistakably Sta. Rita Hills. Its lemon-lime and white flower intensity only deepens on a razor-sharp, acid-driven palate, finishing with a wet slate minerality so stark and pulsating, it’s like staring into the depths of the Milky Way.

2023

La Velentía

Blanc de Blancs

This 100% Chardonnay comes from two vineyards—Texas Hills in Johnson City (Texas Hill Country AVA) and Certenberg Vineyard in Pontotoc, Texas. Picked on the early side to preserve natural acidity, it underwent bâtonnage for three months before bottling. Made in the pét-nat style but sterile-filtered before secondary fermentation and bottled under crown cap, the wine is light, bright, and crisp, showing orchard fruit notes and a frothy, gentle mousse that’s pleasantly soft rather than aggressive. It has great texture and a clean, vibrant finish. Crafted by winemaker Rae Wilson, with support from Tony Offill.

2023

Landmark Vineyards and Marchelle

Lot #31. 'A Lorenzo Legacy' Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

TASTING NOTE. Lot #31. Barrel Sample: All you need to know is this: Greg Stach and Greg La Follette were there, at the Sonoma County Barrel Auction, in May of 2025, pouring it for us ‘professional’ tasters. So, to the future owner of bottles from this exceptional lot—just imagine these two Sonoma legends uncorking bottles, pouring for you, and swapping stories deep into the night about raising hell in wine country. The wine itself is bright and zesty, with citrus and brown spice, honeyed lemon, and fresh ginger notes. Medium-bodied with lovely mid-palate density and a long, mineral-driven finish. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: “A Lorenzo Legacy” is a one-of-a-kind Chardonnay crafted exclusively for the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction, embodying the essence of “Never Before, Never Again.” This marks the first-ever collaboration between Landmark Vineyards and Marchelle Wines, bringing together two distinct winemaking styles to highlight the exceptional 2023 vintage from the renowned Lorenzo Vineyard. The winemakers — the two Gregs, Stach & La Follette — have a combined six decades of winemaking experience working with Lorenzo Vineyard. By combining their expertise, they have crafted a Chardonnay that captures the vineyard’s character in a way that has never been done before. This wine pays tribute to the historic Lorenzo Vineyard, known for producing some of Sonoma County’s most distinctive Chardonnay. The site is prized for its cool-climate influence, extended hang time, and distinct minerality. The vineyard’s location allows the fruit to ripen slowly, developing remarkable depth, complexity, and balance while preserving its natural freshness. Hand-selected barrels were chosen to showcase the vineyard’s depth and complexity, resulting in a Chardonnay that will never be replicated. It has a fruit-forward bouquet with aromas of banana cream pie and a subtle hint of geranium. The palate opens with subtle lemon curd notes and layers of coconut, with the creamy texture beautifully balanced by juicy acidity and throughline of slate-like minerality. With its exclusive blend and limited availability, “A Lorenzo Legacy” offers collectors a rare opportunity to own a truly unique expression of Sonoma County winemaking. WINEMAKER(S): Greg Stach (Landmark Vineyards), Greg La Follette (Marchelle Wines) ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: March 2025 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: December 2025 National Distribution: CA, FL, IL, MD, MA, TX, VA, WI, Washington, DC International Distribution: None

2023

Liquid Farm

Golden Slope Chardonnay

The Golden Slope Chardonnay—sourced from Rita’s Crown, Hilltop, Clos Pepe, Spear, and Kessler-Haak—is native fermented and aged up to 16 months in mostly puncheons, with about 15% new French oak. Founder Jeff Nelson notes that the barrel program plays a vital role in leveraging the muscularity of their whites, particularly in this bottling. The 2023 vintage is among the most focused expressions of Golden Slope in recent memory. It’s as gorgeously layered and fragrant as ever, bursting with lemon and lime zest, apricot, and tangerine oil, framed by supple, juicy fruit and laser-focused saline-acid tension. The finish is long, detailed, and expressive, with crushed Marcona almonds and a hint of honeycomb richness.

2023

Liquid Farm

White Hill Chardonnay

The 2023 White Hill Chardonnay—named in homage to Chablis and the diatomaceous soils of the Sta. Rita Hills—is native fermented and aged for 11 months in a mix of neutral barrels and large-format French barriques (with zero new oak). It showcases exceptional depth and drive thanks to the long, cool growing season. Fruit is sourced from some of the AVA’s most iconic sites: Hilltop, Kessler-Haak, Clos Pepe, Spear, and Rita’s Crown. Lemon peel, white apricot, and honeycomb lead the aromatic charge, while the palate is etched with crackling saline-mineral tension. There’s serious mid-palate density, but also thrilling lift—bright lemon-lime acidity, layered white floral notes, and a mouthwatering brininess that lingers through the long, linear finish. It’s one of the most complete and textural White Hill releases to date.

2023

Longoria Wines

Chardonnay

A perfect snapshot of Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay, this bottling from Longoria opens with a Meyer lemon–infused bouquet that sets the tone for what follows. On the medium- to full-bodied palate, fragrant notes of candied ginger and quince unfold with round, rich texture and silky phenolics. The finish is long and mouthwatering, laced with salted candied lemon peel and a gentle dusting of fragrant baking spices. Just dazzling.

2023

Lumen

Goodchild Vineyard Chardonnay

Sourced from Wente clone Chardonnay, this small-production wine (just 125 cases) was fermented in stainless steel and aged for six months in neutral oak. Exotic aromas of mango, papaya, and white peach mingle with lemon zest and zesty ginger. Medium-bodied and supple, the palate is energized by racy acidity, allowing the vivid tropical and stone fruits to gain depth and complexity. The finish is long and textural, framed by chalky minerality and a flourish of pressed white flowers.

2023

Marbeso

Spear Vineyard Chardonnay

From the Spear Vineyard, this Chardonnay is layered with signature traits of the site: rich honeycomb, overripe lemon, and crushed Marcona almonds. On the palate, it’s textured and expressive, with subtle apple skin tannins framing flavors of yellow apple, ripe pear, and warm baking spices. The wine carries through to a lengthy, beautifully bright finish.

2023

Marine Layer

Aries Chardonnay

A friend in the tasting room remarked that this is the kind of wine you’d expect to see poured by the glass at a Michelin three-star like Single Thread. It has a liqueurous, wonderfully rich texture—extremely deep and penetrating on the mid-palate—with uber-ripe pear and apple fruit, almost like poached pear, accented by white florals, crushed almonds, sea salt, and chalky mineral tension. The length is extraordinary—stretching from the tasting room in Healdsburg clear down to the Golden Gate Bridge—and along the way you experience the landscape itself: rolling hills of orchard fruit, wind, fog, and sunshine, all encapsulated in the glass. Try as you might, you will finish this bottle. Sources include vineyards in the Green Valley and Petaluma Gap sub-AVAs, along with Marine Layer Vineyard in the Sebastopol Hills. Native fermentation; 100% malolactic; gentle lees stirring once per month. Aged 11 months, unfined and lightly filtered.

2023

McGrail Vineyards

Family Chardonnay

100% barrel-fermented, with roughly 30% new French oak and some Hungarian oak in the mix. This wine is super bright, with layers of lemon oil, toasty brioche, buttered croissant, and candied ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, it delivers a fantastic mouthfeel—rich, weighty citrus fruit balanced by bright, intense acid tension. Winemaker Mark Clarin notes that he inhibits some of the malolactic fermentation, allowing only about 70% to complete, which helps preserve freshness and drive. Fragrant baking spice and vanilla notes weave through the palate, and the finish lingers with terrific mineral intensity. A dynamic, beautifully structured white with serious depth and length.

2023

Melville

Estate Chardonnay

The flagship estate Chardonnay is sourced from all four of Melville’s estate ranches. The fruit is harvested overnight and pressed before sunrise into tank, followed by a 24-hour cold settle before being racked to barrel. Fermentation occurs entirely in neutral oak, with the wine aged for eight months prior to bottling. This is a flinty, reductive Chardonnay on the nose, with a candied minerality that lifts its fragrant baking spice character. Layers of Meyer lemon, pear, white peach, and a hint of agave nectar unfold on the palate, all framed by scintillating acidity. The finish is long and complex, marked by crushed Marcona almonds, lime blossoms, and lime zest.

2023

Milea Estate Vineyard

Estate Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay

Fermented in stainless steel with lees stirred every three months over a seven-month period before bottling. The wine offers lemon-lime brightness, white flowers, and crunchy acidity, with layers of citrus, citrus oil, and subtle almond notes. It finishes with a steely, slate-like minerality.

2023

Page Mill Winery

Chardonnay

A perky, mineral-driven Chardonnay sourced from the San Francisco Bay area, this elegant sipper offers notes of white peach, lemon, and a mix of green and yellow apples. The mouthfeel is almost Chablis-like, marked by chalky minerality that gives way to vibrant flavors of ripe citrus fruit. Bright, clean, and refined—an excellent example of cool-climate California Chardonnay with finesse. -JR

2023

Piro Wine Company

North Canyon Vineyard, Points West, Chardonnay

Wonderfully savory from the outset, this wine opens with aromas of buttered croissant, apricot jam, and orange marmalade, layered with honeysuckle blossoms. The medium-bodied palate is infused with those same golden-hued flavors, supported by a framework of subtle cherry skin tannins and delicate notes of pressed white flowers. Crushed Marcona almonds add a textured, nutty elegance to the lengthy finish.

2023

Plaisance Ranch

Chardonnay Papa Joe's Private Stash

The 2023 Plaisance Ranch Chardonnay is a classic. Bursting with citrus fruit and toasty oak spice, it’s medium-bodied with supple fruit and rich oak layers balanced by crisp acidity. The finish lingers with notes of salted Marcona almonds and mouthwatering salinity.

2023

Presqu'ile Winery

Chardonnay

Aromatically fresh and clean, this Santa Barbara County Chardonnay from Presqu’ile opens with lime zest, crisp apple, and white peach. The medium-bodied palate follows with fleshy pear and orchard fruit, supported by a subtle creaminess that adds depth without weight. A soaring line of acidity drives the wine, giving it excellent focus and lift, while the mineral finish leaves an impression of finesse.Aged for up to seven months in stainless steel with a portion in neutral barrels, the grapes are sourced from the estate vineyards and select sites around Los Alamos, and crafted under the steady hand of winemaker Dieter Cronje, who has been with the Murphy family since founding the winery in 2008.

2023

Pruett

Explorer Weries Unoaked Chardonnay

Fermented and aged in stainless steel with just a touch of malolactic fermentation, this Chardonnay is sourced from both the Russian River Valley and West Sonoma Coast. It’s crisp and clean, with bright citrus, apricot, and pear layered with hints of honeycomb and wildflowers. Medium-bodied, with excellent length, focused fruit, and a saline-mineral tension.

1 2 3

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2022

Producer

Name

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.

2023

Producer

Name

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

2023

Producer

Name

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.

2023

Producer

Name

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.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2022

2022 Au Bon Climat Bien Nacido Chardonnay Nuits Blanches au Bouge

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Au Bon Climat Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Bien Nacido Estate Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Concannon Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Dragonette Rita’s Crown Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Maren (Bybee Wine Co) Otto Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Marine Layer Durell Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Marine Layer Hawk Hill Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Milea Estate Vineyard Vincenza Reserve BDX Blend

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Pruett Burgundian Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Samsara Francesca Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Vignerons Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Wölffer Estate Vineyards Perle (White Horse Label) Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 3 Steves Winery Chardonnay Reserve

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Aaaaa The Hilt Estate Chardonnay

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Argot Chardonnay

Still Wine

$$

MAILING LIST

The only email you want to open

  • Podcast Drops
  • New Reports
  • Latest Scores