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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2023

Pruett

Reverie Reserve Chardonnay

Fermented and aged entirely in two brand-new François Frères barrels, this Chardonnay was stirred on heavy lees for 4–6 months and aged for a total of 18 months. Only 45 cases were made. With a pH of 3.59, the saline-acid tension is apparent from the very first sip and carries all the way through the lengthy finish. In between, you get a round, rich, and supple palate packed with pleasure: citrus oil, candied ginger, and beautifully integrated toasty oak. It’s refined yet generous, delivering layers of apple tarte tatin, poached pears, honeysuckle, and a lingering touch of black licorice. Talk about a Wow wine.

2023

Sandhi

Domaine de la Côte Chardonnay Romance

Oh my goodness—just wait until you stick your nose in the glass. As the name suggests, this Chardonnay will romance you (and fool you) into thinking it hails from Burgundy. It doesn’t—it’s pure Sta. Rita Hills—but it delivers all the elegance and tension you’d expect from France. The nose is a stunner: lemon oil, lemon zest, white peach, wet river stone, and that unmistakable crushed oyster shell sea spray character from the region’s diatomaceous-rich soils. And that’s just the beginning. On the palate, it’s broad yet focused, with saline-scented acidity underscoring layers of lemon and tangerine oil. Pressed wildflowers and mineral energy carry the finish, which seems to go on forever.

2023

The Hilt

Bentrock Vineyard Chardonnay

Fermentation started with as many lees as possible. Matt Dees explains that they prefer to kick things off with native yeast—but if it doesn’t take, they’re not dogmatic and will inoculate. They don’t add any sulfur until June at the earliest. Around that time, they roll the barrels to mix the lees thoroughly, then rack the wine back to tank for roughly eight months before bottling. This approach allows them to limit sulfur additions later in the aging process. The wine opens with early-season orchard fruit—nectarines, apricots, white peach, pear, and yellow apple and white flowers. It has a medium-bodied, silky richness on the mid-palate and a persistent finish marked by spicy ginger, fresh sage, and a gorgeous pink Himalayan sea salt minerality. It lingers and lingers on the palate, like the perfect Maldon crystal.

2023

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

The Hilt

Radian Vineyard Chardonnay

This is a lean, bright, focused, and vivid Chardonnay, its energy driven by an even-keeled growing season without major heat spikes. There’s a subtle tannic quality to the wine—a gentle grip from the toughness of the grape skins, constantly buffeted by ocean breezes. A gorgeous salinity runs through this lemon-lime-bright white, with lifted floral notes and expressive black sage aromatics, accented by subtle hints of elderflower.

2023

Wente Family Vineyards

Small Lot Limited Release Chardonnay

Fermented in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and French oak barrels, this wine was aged sur lie for six months with regular stirring. The remaining portion was aged in neutral oak and stainless steel to preserve freshness. Sourced from Montpellier cuttings, it opens with inviting aromas of vanilla, yellow apple, biscuit, lemon drop, and jasmine. The medium-bodied palate offers a pleasing richness, balanced by a bright line of acidity. The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of wood spice. -JR

2023

William Fevre

Chablis Champs Royaux

From a Chablis producer who can do no wrong when it comes to crafting beguiling whites. Lemons, white blossoms, and minerals abound on the nose and palate for what feel like days. Almost effortlessly drinkable. – J.R.

2023

Wood Family Vineyards

Para Mas Amigas Chardonnay

This 100% Chardonnay was barrel fermented in 32% new French oak and aged for 9 months with biweekly lees stirring. Bold and expressive, it offers layers of pineapple, lemon oil, tangerine zest, and honeycomb. Full-bodied on the palate, with mouthwatering grip and tension, it builds to a long, spice-laced finish accented by baking spice and vibrant acidity.

2024

Darcie Kent Estate Winery

DeMayo Chardonnay

Fans of previous vintages of this wine will immediately recognize its rich, toasty, and buttery croissant aromatics, along with decadent layers of yellow apple, creamy pear, and warm baking spice accents. All that richness is supported by vibrant energy, and in 2024, all the components feel especially well-balanced and seamlessly integrated. In short, this is a delicious 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 to 600 feet in elevation. Grapes are whole-cluster picked, then fermented and aged for six months in French oak.

2024

Dovecote

Thompson Vineyard Estate Chardonnay

The 2024 Dovecote Estate Chardonnay from Thompson Vineyard in Alisos Canyon, a limited release of just 54 cases, is a stunning example of California Chardonnay that combines richness with real elegance. On the nose, it opens with that classic toasty, buttery brioche character—think a freshly baked, crispy brioche straight from the farmer’s market—along with layers of Meyer lemon and baked apple. On the palate, all those flavors come together seamlessly, balanced by a bright, lemony acidity. There’s a beautiful textural grip and a crushed sea salt impression that leaves your mouth watering, complemented by nuances of apricots, crushed Marcona almonds, and pressed wildflowers. It’s a remarkable wine with great depth, tension, and a saline, mineral-driven length that will resonate with any lover of beautifully balanced California Chardonnay.

2024

J Vineyards & Winery

Lot #32. 'Decennial' Sparkling Wine - Chardonnay, Multi-Vintage Blend (2014-2024)

TASTING NOTE: Lot #32. Barrel Sample: OMG, yum. Are we in Champagne? Absolutely not. But does this wine make a strong case that J Vineyards can produce serious bubbly—serious enough to fool most WSET Level 3 students into thinking it’s the real thing? Absolutely. Bright biscuit and baking spice aromatics lead into a rich, building mousse layered with chalky minerality, toasted almond, and French pastry. Dosage is 5.5 g/L. Exceptionally well built, deeply pleasing, and poised to age gracefully for at least a decade. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: “Decennial” represents the essence of a decade’s worth of vintages, skillfully blended to create the perfect dosage for this wine. For this special bottling, the 2015 vintage Blanc de Blancs was enhanced with a dosage blend of 10 years of vintage Blanc de Blancs from the winery’s library. The blend of wines, ranging from 2014 to 2024, beautifully complements the 2015 vintage and highlights the unique characteristics brought by age and singularity. Each sip captures the unique characteristics and complexities of ten years of winemaking excellence. J Vineyards & Winery was founded by Judy Jordan as a sparkling wine house in 1986, one of the first to focus on the incredible fruit grown in the Russian River Valley. The winery adheres closely to the traditional method process, but the winery’s style and vineyard sites give their sparkling wines a modern California perspective. “Decennial” showcases the exquisite depth and quality of sparkling Russian River Valley Chardonnay. A bead of fine bubbles rises to form a lively, delicate mousse, lifting aromas of fresh green apple and orange blossom from the glass. Notes of Asian pear, nectarine and lemon curd evolve on the palate to richer, more savory baked apple pie and toasted pine nut characteristics. Beautifully crisp and dry, it finishes with bright, refreshing hints of sea spray. WINEMAKER(S): Laura Fontaine, Nicole Hitchcock ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: December 2025 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: June 2026 National Distribution: Includes all 50 states and Washington, DC

2024

Melville

Estate Chardonnay, Clone 76 Inox

This wine was fermented in stainless steel using grapes sourced from the West Side Vineyard, where naturally low pH levels contribute to soaring, ripping acidity. It’s cold-pressed, cold-fermented, and cold-aged—every step designed to preserve freshness and minerality. There’s no oak influence and no lees stirring. Once fermentation finishes—after about three weeks—the wine is racked to stainless steel for an additional four months before bottling. The result is a bracing, delicious wine with lemon-lime brightness, white flowers, jasmine, and honeysuckle. The acidity is like a beam of light—laser-focused, bright, and crunchy—building toward a long, saline-mineral finish that’s practically perfectly made for seafood.

2024

Pruett

Austenitic Chardonnay

Fermented and aged entirely in FCC Crystal stainless steel (austenitic-grade, named for the crystalline structure of the steel), this Chardonnay is sourced exclusively from Bob’s Vineyard and planted to Dijon clones. “We treated the pressing like a Sauvignon Blanc,” the winemaker says—blanketing it with CO₂ to keep the wine in a reductive state before fermenting and aging it entirely in stainless, with malolactic fermentation fully blocked. The aromatics are vibrant and layered, with notes of honeycomb, orange zest, and crushed almonds. Medium-bodied on the palate, it shows a rich vein of crystalline acid tension and sea salt minerality, with impressive length.

2024

Pruett

Poulet Sautant Chardonnay

Poulet Sautant Unoaked Chardonnay is named for the “jumping chickens” on Bob Pruett’s property—specifically, his wife’s Polish Frizzles. During the growing season, the chickens leap up to knock berries off the vines to feed their young, which Bob has come to view as a charming (and accurate) indicator that the grapes are ripe and ready to harvest. This unoaked Chardonnay is super fresh and bright, with aromas of ripe pear, apple, and lemon citrus. Medium-bodied on the palate, it shows fleshy, creamy pear and apple fruit framed by zesty, electric acid tension. The finish is lifted by a touch of salinity and a pop of honeycomb.

N/A

Champagne Piaff

Blanc de Blanc NV

This fifth-generation producer from Épernay crafts Champagnes that undergo full malolactic fermentation. Grapes are sourced from Vitryat, and the wine spends 28 months en tirage with a dosage of 7 g/L. The nose reveals gorgeous chalky mineral notes alongside white truffle and French pastry aromas. The palate delivers a luscious, creamy mousse with rich earthy undertones, pure apricot, and white peach character, complemented by nougat and Marcona almonds. The long, satisfying finish is elevated by a pop of hazelnut. This Champagne’s style is captivating and sure to delight.

N/A

McGrail Vineyards

Gracie Brut Sparkling Wine

This sparkling Chardonnay from Lucky 8 Vineyard was harvested in late August at approximately 17 Brix with a pH of 3.0. Fermented in stainless steel, it was then racked to neutral oak for about three months before returning to stainless for heat and cold stabilization. The wine was bottled, tirage-aged, riddled, and finished with a dosage of just 2 g/L. It boasts bright lemon citrus and apricot notes, accented by fragrant white flowers and hints of nougat. The mousse is rich and creamy yet assertive, framed by soaring acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. Crisp, clean, and beautifully structured.

NV

HV Vineyards

Right Bank Blanc De Blanc

Super expressive from the start, this 100% Chardonnay opens with a lifted nose of baking spice, oyster shell minerality, and lemon pastry. The palate builds in intensity with a focused, assertive mousse and fine beading, resolving into a stunning, saline-rich finish layered with salted lemon peel and French pastry notes. Bright, focused, and precise throughout. Aged 24 months on the lees with some time in neutral oak post-primary fermentation; no malolactic conversion. Dosage is 7 g/L. Crafted under the direction of General Manager Russell Moss.

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Vintage

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2023

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

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.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2023

2023 Argot Simpatico Ranch Chardonnay

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Au Bon Climat Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 AUTEUR Bacigalupi Chardonnay

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Cambria Estate Winery Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Concannon Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 DANCIN Allongé Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 DANCIN Capriccio Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Darcie Kent Estate Winery DeMayo Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Organic Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Domaine Bousquet Unoaked Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Dusty Nabor Bentrock Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 La Velentía Blanc de Blancs

-

$$

2023

2023 Landmark Vineyards and Marchelle Lot #31. ‘A Lorenzo Legacy’ Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Liquid Farm Golden Slope Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Liquid Farm White Hill Chardonnay

Still Wine

N/A

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