9th of June 2026

Login

WINERY DIRECTORY

Featured Wines

Search Wines

Select a Vintage, Varietal or Appellation, or enter a phrase below.

Vintage:

Varietal:

Appellation:

Search for:

Recently Added Wines

Add your wines

2018 uiohduiwohduiwo` York Mountian Winery

1337 Namesnipes Wine Clos La Chance Wines

2012 Fagus Bodegas Aragonesas

2010 Fagus X Aniversario Bodegas Aragonesas

2011 Oxia Bodegas Aragonesas

View More...	100 newest

Wine Guide > Chardonnay

Chardonnay

20310 visitors

Chardonnay is a versatile grape. In cold regions such as Chablis, it shows crisp acidity and flavours of green hay with the flinty notes typical of the terroir - the wine even has a green tinge. Just 100 miles south, in the CÃ´te de Beaune, the white Burgundies are much riper and richer, reflecting warmer conditions and the increasing use of oak.

Chardonnay wines taste very different when the vines are grown in hot climates such as those in the plains of California and Australia. The conditions ensure ripe grapes, which lead to high levels of alcohol in the wine, and rich flavours of peach, melon, citrus and tropical fruits. In the 1980â€™s and 1990â€™s many New World winemakers responded to these bold flavours with equally bold use of oak, ageing the wine for long periods in new oak barrels. The cheap way to add oakiness would be the addition of staves or wood chips to wine in stainless steel containers. The intention was to impart complexity to the wines by introducing desirable aromas of vanilla, caramel, and butteriness. Too often the result tasted like chewing on a piece of wood, and this led to something of a consumer backlash against heavy, oaky Chardonnays. Winemakers in Australia and New Zealand reacted with completely unoaked Chardonnays from cooler climates, whereas in the United States there was more emphasis on controlling the oaking process. Thus they experimented with oak from different sources (French, American, Central European oaks all have different effects on wine), with different treatments (for instance toasting the barrels imparts smokiness and toast flavours) and reduced the oak influence by using bigger barrels (which have less oak per volume of wine), oaking only some of the wine in the blend, or using a mix of harsh new oak and older barrels.

More information on Chardonnay

Food Pairing: Pairs well with any poultry and Vietnamese cuisine. Wonderful with fruits, strong cheeses and capers. Also works beautifully with grilled freshwater fish. On a hot day, a very cold chardonnay served with a plate of figs, balsamic vinegar, and a salty hard

381 wines

Sort by: Winery / Price

Jump to page:

Benson Ferry Vineyards

Rate this wine

2005 Chardonnay

Vibrant aromas of green apple and citrus are enriched by a hint of bread dough. Fresh green apple, lime and kiwi flavors gain elegance from subtle mineral notes. This Chardonnayâ€™ ...mores vibrant fruit, medium weight and smooth texture continue through the crisp, lingering finish.

Wente Vineyards Estate Winery

CAW Rating: 95

100

1 reviews

2005 Riva Ranch Chardonnay
Arroyo Seco, Monterey

This Chardonnay has a rich, golden color and aromas of ripe apple, vanilla, butter, and pear. It has a luscious mouthfeel, flavors of vanilla, guava, and butterscotch, and a long, ...moresmooth finish.

Wente Vineyards Estate Winery

CAW Rating: 99

100

1 reviews

2005 Morning Fog Chardonnay
Livermore Valley

Enjoy the beautiful straw color and aromas of freshly cut red apple, vanilla and well-integrated oak. There are also enticing aromas of tropical and citrus fruit. The predominant f ...morelavors are clean, tart apple with toasty graham and subtle oak. This Chardonnay has a mouth-filling body with a medium-long finish that is very refreshing.

Charles Creek Vineyard

Rate this wine

2004 Chardonnay "La Sorpresa"
Sonoma/Carneros

Buttery in structure with ripe apple/pineapple fruit characteristics this Chardonnay also displays an intriguing hazlenut and toast quality from the newer oak. Richness and viscosi ...morety might suggest a "red wine drinkers white wine".

Winner of 8 Gold medals (the most award winning Chardonnay in the country for the 2006 competition season).

100% Chardonnay

88% Sangiacomo Vineyard

8% Hyde Vineyard

4% Dutton Ranch

^$32.00

Charles Creek Vineyard

Rate this wine

2004 Chardonnay "Las Abuelas"
Napa valley/Carneros

Drawn primarily from the legendary Hyde Vineyard in the Carneros this traditional barrel fermented Chardonnay displays classic elegance and restraint. Aging in 25% new french oak c ...moreooperage for 11 months enhances but never overwhelms the aromas and flavors of sweet pea, lemon curd, mineral and spice.

^$39.00

Nicholson Ranch Winery

Rate this wine

2004 Reserve Chardonnay Estate "CuvÃ©e Natalie"
Sonoma Valley

With a very small berry year and intense concentration in the raw material, the wines seemed to lack the need for barrel impact. Most of the new wood went into our estate Chardonna ...morey after 10 months barrel aging. The absolute best new barrels of clones 96, 76 and hillside 4 went into a small stainless tank at this time to complete their aging process in the absence of oak and for clarification. Because the oak program is diminished in this wine, most of the structure comes from natural tannin and a bit of shriveling that occurred during the very hot end of August in 2004. The creaminess that opens the wine came predominantly from one use barrels that had just enough impact left to richen the wine without drying it out. The Dijon clones add the mineral/citrus notes that distinguish Natalie from the estate bottling while the clone 4 adds pure fatness in the way of tropical fruit and vanilla extract.

^$45.00

Nicholson Ranch Winery

Rate this wine

2004 Chardonnay
Sonoma Valley

Pale gold complexion. Nose of lychee, lemon meringue, vanilla custard and wet river rock. The clone 4 in the blend provides some tropical notes of shredded coconut, banana chips an ...mored guava. The dijon clones contribute a citrusy minerality and the smell and texture of the underlying framing acidity. The fruit quality on the palate is hard to pin down, balancing the two ends of the Chardonnay spectrum: sweet and fat and racy and focused. The finish is very clean and long with the abundance of fruit sustained and framed nicely by firm acidity.

^$28.00

Nicholson Ranch Winery

Rate this wine

2003 SONA Late-Harvest Chardonnay
Sonoma Valley

The only â€œsweetâ€ wine this winery has ever produced. In homage to our owner, Deepakâ€™s, heritage this golden liquid was dubbed SONA (meaning gold in Hindi). This wine offers r ...moreich texture to the palate with subtle hints of oak, butterscotch, citrus and dried apricots. On the finish, the taster is greeted with sweet honey and vanilla characteristics.

^$45.00

Abundance Vineyards

Rate this wine

2005 Chardonnay
Santa Barbara Vineyards

Santa Barbara County has long been known for its extraordinary conditions for growing certain wine grapes. The east to west valleys serve as weather barriers, allowing the fog and ...morecooler climate to come in and keep the scorching heat and dry weather out. This allows time for the grapes to fully ripen over a longer period of time, which ultimately brings more complexity to the wine.

^$14.00

Robert Stemmler Winery

Rate this wine

2005 Carneros Estate Grown Chardonnay
Carneros

Intense aromatics of honeysuckle, white peach, ripe pear and hazelnuts. This full bodied Chardonnay, balanced by refreshing acidity, resonates lychee and candied lemon, while focus ...moreing on its salt, mineral and slate characteristics.

^$34.00

Hafner Vineyard

Rate this wine

2005 Chardonnay

Youthful, bright and fruit-driven, the 2005 opens with ripe pear, sweet grapefruit and floral aromas. On the palate, its creamy texture and vanilla toastiness add richness and dept ...moreh to the wine. It has a long, soft finish that allows you to enjoy the wine's flavors. As the 2005 ages, it will develop more of the complexities and nuances we look for in our wines.

Hafner Vineyard

Rate this wine

2004 Reserve Chardonnay

Youthful elegance is an excellent descriptor of the 2004 Reserve Chardonnay. The wine opens with flinty, toasty, mineral notes from its barrel fermentation and extended barrel agin ...moreg. Its sweet citrus fruit components give the wine depth and structure while vanilla cream flavors from malolactic fermentation add richness and complexity to the palate. Like its predecessors, the 2004 Reserve has the structure and balance to age for at least four more years.

Gary Farrell Wines

Rate this wine

2004 Chardonnay
Russian River Valley

Fresh aromas of ripe golden delicious apples, lemon zest and hints of almond and butterscotch fill the glass. This is a luxurious, complete wine with generous fruit and a rich mout ...moreh feel. While full and supple, the crisp refreshing balance provides a mouth-watering finish. Enjoy now or age for several more years.

Cinnabar Winery

CAW Rating: 99

100

1 reviews

2005 Chardonnay
Monterey

Tropical fruit and honey fragrances give rise
to flavors of ripe mango with touches of citrus,
toasted oak and minerals. Full mouthfeel,
bright acidity and a c ...morelean, lengthy finish.
Serve with New England clam chowder and
warm crusty French bread.

â€” Winemaker George Troquato

^$18.50

Davis Family Vineyards

Rate this wine

2005 Chardonnay
Russian River Valley

Mother nature was unusually cooperative this vintage and helped to make this perhaps our best Chardonnay to date. It was a late October harvest from two Russian River locations: th ...moree majority from the Dutton Ranch and the rest, a Meursault clone, from our estate vineyard. After small-lot, whole cluster pressing, 90% of the lots were fermented with native yeasts for increased complexity. 80% of the wine was barrel fermented using only Allier and Trancais oak, and just 1/3 of the barrels were new. The tight grain of these cold climate forests gives subtle flavor extraction and adds a toasty note without ever making the wines taste â€œoakyâ€. We did daily lees stirring early in the fermentation for added texture, then racked off the lees (using only gravity to preserve the delicate aromas) once malolactic fermentation was finished. The result? Exotic tropical aromas give way to the benchmark citrus notes of this cool region, and in the mouth the layers of flavor unfold in a yin/yang-like dichotomy of lush fruit with crisp acidity wrapped in vibrant and rounded textures. Dee-licious!

^$36.00

Copeland Creek Vineyards

Rate this wine

2004 Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast

Grown in sunny Sonoma County in our well-drained soil next to Copeland Creek, the flavor in these grapes fully develops in an extended season made possible by the cooling morning f ...moreog and afternoon breezes off the nearby Pacific Ocean. After fermenting and aging in 100% French oak barrels, our Chardonnay matures into a wine that is soft and bright, subtle and creamy. Layers of ripe fruit, oak, and butter promise a silky smooth finish in this engaging wine.

^$16.00

Peters Family Winery

Rate this wine

2005 Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Stage Vineyard

This delicious golden blonde chardonnay reflects its Dijon clone heritage, hand-crafted Burgundian vinification, and Sonoma Coast single vineyard terroir. On the nose the wine exhi ...morebits an array of fragrant floral, lemon, honey, and sweet spice notes. On the palate focused meyer lemon, mango, honeydew, vanilla, fig, mineral and sweet spice notes are all seamlessly blended. Barrel fermentation, extended barrel aging on the lees, and 100% unfiltered bottling contribute to this chardonnay's rich, lavish flavors and texture. Smooth and beautifully balanced now in its youth, this chardonnay is sure to evolve into an even more special wine with cellaring.

^$36.00

Peters Family Winery

Rate this wine

2004 Chardonnay
Carneros, Sangiacomo Vineyard

This delicious, beautifully balanced chardonnay reflects both its Burgundian vinification and its Carneros single vineyard terroir. On the nose the wine exhibits fragrant floral an ...mored tropical fruit aromas. On the palate, the wine showcases creamy meyer lemon, honeydew, pineapple, and vanilla notes, followed by light mineral, caramel and butterscotch notes on the seamless finish. This sumptuous golden blonde chardonnay is drinking beautifully now in its youth, and will continue to mature throughout the course of the decade. 91 Points-Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

^$38.00

Peters Family Winery

Rate this wine

2003 Chardonnay
Carneros, Sangiacomo Vineyard

This rich, delicious chardonnay was barrel-fermented and aged sur lies to produce a classic chardonnay which reflects both its California terroir and its Burgundian vinification. R ...moreeleased in June 2005, our 2003 chardonnay is 100% unfiltered and drinking beautifully now. On the nose the wine exhibits fragrant aromas of mango, melon, honey and vanilla. On the palate the wine displays ample acidity, with meyer lemon, tangerine, and creamy vanilla notes, followed by rich mineral, and caramel notes on the lush finish. 90 POINTS-Wine Enthusiast Magazine-12/1/05 GOLD MEDAL-2006 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition SILVER MEDAL-2005 San Francisco International Wine Competition

^$36.00

Peters Family Winery

Rate this wine

2002 Chardonnay
Carneros, Sangiacomo Vineyard

This delicious, intensely rich chardonnay displays an array of lush, complex flavors beautifully interwoven to produce a chardonnay with exceptional balance and flavor. Barrel ferm ...moreentation in a selection of French and American oak, extended time on the lees, and bottling 100% unfiltered have served to intensify the flavors and complexity of our 2002 Chardonnay. Deep gold in color, it offers up a melange of lemon, melon, and pear notes followed by creamy vanilla, hazelnut, fig, and butterscotch notes on the long silky finish. GOLD MEDAL-2005 Starwine International Wine Competition GOLD MEDAL-2005 Los Angeles County Wine Competition SILVER MEDAL-2005 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competiton SILVER MEDAL-2005 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

^$34.00

Sort by: Winery / Price

Jump to page:

Showcase Wineries

Zayante Vineyards (5)

Roudon-Smith Winery (6)

Featured Wines

Top Rated Chardonnay

2004 Carneros Chardonnay
Ã–dmann Vineyard

CAW Rating: 100

100

1 reviews

Fresh sweet apple, honey rich mouthfeel

More Chardonnay Ratings

Combined Rating
100.0 1 reviews	2006 Estate Chardonnay Wiens Family Cellars
Flavor
5.0 1 reviews	2006 Estate Chardonnay Wiens Family Cellars
Impression
5.0 1 reviews	2006 Estate Chardonnay Wiens Family Cellars
Bouquet
5.0 1 reviews	2006 Estate Chardonnay Wiens Family Cellars

WINE JOBS

WINE EVENTS

WINE GUIDE

WINERY DIRECTORY

Featured Wines

Search Wines

Recently Added Wines

Chardonnay

Showcase Wineries

Featured Wines

Top Rated Chardonnay