Chardonnay
2012 Rulo, Chardonnay
Walla Walla Valley, Washington
Aromas of pear, salted butter and white fig are enhanced by notes of vanilla, new French oak, and a light seasoning of clove and nutmeg.
The palate is round with moderate-plus acidity. Flavors of pear, baked apple, fig, melted butter, and vanilla are framed with the strong presence of oak. The finish has intensity and length lingering on clove on the back palate.
$25 – 92 Points
2014 Domaine de Chantemerle, Fourchaume
Chablis 1er Cru, France
This is a traditional Chablis producer. The vineyards are in the Premier Cru Fourchaume and the Chardonnay vines average over 40 years old. The soil is Kimmeridgian, a chalky soil composed of the remains of shellfish, which lived here when the ocean covered the area of Chablis.
Aromas of fresh apricots, lemon oil, green apple, white blossoms, yeast and chalk dust.
Medium-bodied and lively on the palate; tangy and fresh with flavors of lemons, limes, green apple, sea salt and chalky minerality. A perfect pairing for shellfish!
2013 Côte Bonneville, Chardonnay
DuBrul Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington
Aged 17 months sur lie in French Oak. Bottled unfined and Beautifully scented with above moderate intensity. Aromas show caramel apple, butterscotch, pear, lemon zest, vanilla, toasted almonds and toasty oak with floral accents and baking spice. The palate is smooth, zesty with medium-plus acidity and well spiced flavors of apple cider, pear and lemon with caramel, vanilla and oak notes that carry floral accents that pull through the long finish lingering on warm baking spices.
2013 Carte Blanche, Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, California
A blend of 5 blocks vinified separately. 15 months in French oak with 100% Malo. Only 300 cases produced.
Beautiful, rich aromas are medium-plus in intensity and wildly intoxicating showing depth and complexity. Roasted marshmallow, cinnamon brioche, butterscotch, dried apricot, lemon curd, white flowers, white fig, vanilla, toast and an underlining of saline and oyster shell.
The palate translates showing impeccable balance and structure. Rich and creamy yet focused and delineated. Creme brûlée, white fig and dried apricot flavors are met with saline and minerals, brioche, pastry crust, lemon curd, white flowers, vanilla and light touches of baking spice and toast. Long and elegant on the finish.
2014 Inconceivable Wines, Chardonnay,
Queen of Tides
Santa Barbara County, California
100% Chardonnay, hand picked, whole cluster direct to press. Barrel fermented in French oak, 30% new. Aged 7 months. Partial Malo.
Rich aromas of honeyed pears topped with fresh ground nutmeg and clove. Marzipan, apricot, vanilla and roasted marshmallow scents are enticing.
On the palate this is nicely textured and weighted with just the right amount of viscosity. Rich and spiced flavors strut notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, with roasted marshmallow, butterscotch, apricot, honey butter, vanilla, poached pears, marzipan and delicate minerality. Lingers with gentle heat and spice.
2013 Chehalem, Chardonnay, Ian’s Reserve, Stoller Vineyard
Dundee Hills, Oregon
Predominately Stoller Vineyard with 16% Coral Creek. 31% new oak and 26% 1st use barrels. A cool climate Chardonnay that is beautiful in this warmer vintage.
Intoxicating aromas blend light notes of toffee, butterscotch and salted butter with delicate white flowers, slate and chalk, lemon oil, yellow apple, baking spice and fall leaves.
Focused and precise on the palate with a laser beam of acidity driving from the entry through finish. Clean flavors show lemon, Asian pear and apple that weave in notes of white flowers, mineral, toffee, butterscotch with a hint of baking spice and hazelnut.
2014 Gran Moraine, Chardonnay
Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon
An absolutely stunning Chardonnay. Very Meursault like in its profile on the nose and palate.
Intoxicating aromas are complex and layered with chalk and oyster shell notes that mingle with scents of white fig, golden apples, lemon zest, toasted nuts and oak that give way to delicate scents of white flowers, oak, verbena, baking spice and golden leaf tobacco.
The palate is structured in its weight and acidity. The flavor profile is intense with notes of apple, pear, lemon and white fig that are seamlessly integrated in with notes of toasted nuts, baking spice, chalky mineral and saline, white tea, honeysuckle, verbena and a hint of golden tobacco. Racy through the complex finish with juicy acidity and lingering on notes of toasted nuts, mineral and lemon.
Harmonious and seamless in every way! This is great now but should cellar well too. Hands down one of (if not) the best Oregon Chardonnay.
2014 Dussek, Chardonnay, Weinbau Vineyard
Wahluke Slope, WA
Intriguing and inviting. Unique for a WA state Chardonnay, that reads more like an Oregon Chard on the nose and palate. This wine is aged for 10 months in 100% French Oak (70% new, 30% neutral) Cases Produced: 194
Scents of white fig, pear and melon show intensity with streaks of lemon zest, French oak and vanilla with lighter nuances of limestone and honeysuckle.
The palate shows precision and elegance seldom found in this price point. The bright acid play keeps the wine lifted on the palate while flavors of fig, melon, lemon and pear envelop the palate with secondary notes of French oak, mineral, vanilla, honeysuckle and a kiss of buttercream. Long through the juicy finish.
2015 Remi Jobard, Meursault Sous La Velle
Côte de Beaune, France
From the sensational and unique lieu-dits Sous la Velle. Remi does the longest fermentation of anyone in Meursault; 2 months long and even moves his barrels outside to the courtyard where it is colder so that the fermentation takes as long as possible, all his wines age part in tight-grained 1000L, 1200L, or 1500L Stockinger barrels from Austria and the other part in barriques only from Stockinger.
Aromas are classic and show notes of chalk and saline that give way to blanched almond, delicate white wildflower, apple, lemon, prickly pear, fresh cream, subtle spice and wood.
The palate is taught but shows a medium/full body with high acidity and flavors of chalk, seashell, and sea salt that marries well with notes of tart apple, white flower, lemon-lime, almond, cream and a touch of barrel. The finish sails on with intensity.
A beauty that should cellar well.
2013 Chateau St. Jean, Chardonnay Reserve
Sonoma County, California
A blend of the wineries top lots that include vineyards such as Durell, Belle Terre and Cold Creek. Fermented in small French oak barrels before aging in barrel, sur-lie, for 16 months. After the final assemblage the wine was bottle aged another year prior to release.
Aromas of lemon and bergamot oil show well with notes of apple, pineapple, verbena, orchard blossoms, white flowers, chalk, saline and hints of Belgium waffle and baking spice.
The palate shows richness but focused acidity as well. The entry shows flavors apple, pear, tangerine, lemon, and a streak of pineapple that unfold to share white flowers, saline and chalk before the notes of brioche, crème brûlée and baking spice pick up and play through the lingering finish.
2015 Kistler, Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard
Carneros, California
The Kistler Chardonnay's are iconic and the Hyde vineyard bottling is exceptional. 100% barrel fermented in the wineries subterranean, gravel floor barrel rooms, and is aged sur lie in those same barrels, remaining for eleven to eighteen months until bottling. Unfined and Unfiltered.
Beautiful scents of tropical fruits shine first: pineapple, mango, nectarine and kumquat with notes of beeswax, brioche, pastry dough, spice, toasted almonds, vanilla and lemon meringue. The palate shines through with fresh acidity and beautiful weight and fleshy texture. Flavors follow suit from the nose with a blend of pineapple, lemon curd, mango, brioche, beeswax, and vanilla with hints of apricots, toasted almonds and saline. Impressive length on the finish.
2017 Jules Taylor, Chardonnay, OTQ
Marlborough, New Zealand
The grapes for this Chardonnay were grown in the Meadowbank Estate Vineyard in the Taylor Pass subregion. This particular block, settled in this picturesque vineyard, was carefully hand managed to provide low-yield, high quality crop. Wild fermentation in French oak, to give it some extra character. Following the wild fermentation Jules put the wine through a full malolactic fermentation in order to soften the acid profile and add additional layers of complexity. With extended time on lees and stirring in barrel, the wine was left in oak to mature for 10 months.
Aromas showcase oxidative notes of roasted nuts, dried leaves and oak combined with scents of white figs, green and yellow apple, pear, lemon oil, salted caramel, vanilla and soft touches of butterscotch, chalk and white flowers.
The palate is full and complex showing moderate-plus acidity and full textures with detailed notes of salted caramel apples, dried white figs, toasted filberts dried leave, pear, quince, white tea, flowers, lemon oil, lanolin, chalk and oak. The finish lingers enticingly.
2017 Angela Estate, Chardonnay
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Mostly Eola-Amity fruit with some from Lingua Franca's Bunker Hill vineyard. Barrel fermented and aged in 35% new French oak for one year and another six months in stainless. Full malolactic conversion.
Richly scented with notes toffee apple, baking spice, lemon zest, white flowers and chamomile, chalky earth, sea spray, almond, dried leaves and oak.
The palate is rich and textured with a creamy mouthfeel and ripping, high level acidity. Flavors of lemon, green apple, warm baking spices, white flowers, chamomile tea, saline, almond toffee, chalk and earth. The finish lingers with intensity.
2016 Jean Philippe-Fichet, Bourgogne Blanc
Burgundy, France
This Chardonnay is striking on the nose with the classic scents of burgundy; French oak tones that coat the scents toffee, caramelized apple, lemon, starfruit, white and yellow flowers, subtle spice, rock and mineral.
The palate is bright with focused and high acid and a balanced abv. Flavors of apple, white cherry, lemon and melon are met with a delicate floral component, spice, oak and mineral that linger through the long finish.
2017 Nicolas Potel, Rully 1er Cru La Pucelle
Burgundy, France
Quite simply a stunning, small production wine that is made in the most thoughtful manner that any white Burgundy lover or chardonnay enthusiast must try. Aged approximately 14 months in French oak on the fine lees with a late malolactic fermentation. Aromas are intense showing a wine array of fruit, mineral and oak notes with a mix of apples, including fresh green apple, yellow apple and baked apple meld with notes of lemon zest butterscotch, baking spices, white flowers, sea spray, chalky minerals and linden notes.
The palate shows exceptional intensity and weight. Bright, focused acidity and a creamy texture that bring flavors that mimic the nose, a mélange of apples, baking spice, butterscotch, white flowers, mineral and saline. The finish sails on with grace.
2017 Domaine Dupont-Fahn, Meursault, Les Tillets
Meursault, France
Heavily scented with notes of apple, quince, under-ripe white peach, lime blossoms, preserved lemon, raw almond and hazelnuts, crushed chalk and rock, sea spray, French oak, vanilla and subtle hints of farm butter, crème fraiche, toffee, baking spice, white flower and linden.
The palate is broad and expansive. Full and creamy textures coat the palate. The acidity is bright and precise. Flavors envelope the palate in warm oak notes of baking spice and toffee with notes of apple, quince, lemon-lime, nuts, butter, crème fraiche and chalky earth. The finish sails on.
This wine is an absolute hidden gem from a small producer that should be sought out!
The limestone-rich, gravel-strewn lieu-dit “Les Tillets” in Meursault does not come with the classification of a Premier Cru or Grand Cru (though many believe it should). At almost 1,000 feet, it is one of the highest-elevation sites in Meursault. The vines are 50 years old and farmed sustainably.
Tillets is named after Tillaux - linden trees.
Raymond harvested a little earlier for optimal acidity and lower alcohol. Aged in 20% New French.
2018 Aluvé Chardonnay Estate
Colombia Valley, Washington
Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented and aged sur lie for 11 months.
The aromas are giving and show notes of orange blossom and vanilla that mingle with the notes of apple, pear, pineapple, lemon curd and hints of almond, marmalade, baking spice and caramelized sugar.
The palate is rich, creamy and fully textured. The acidity plays in concert with the weight of the wine, providing balance. Rich flavors of poached pear, apple, lemon curd and orange marmalade lead into notes of orchard blossoms, baking spice, oak, and crème brûlée. The finish lingers easily.
2017 Big Table Farm, Chardonnay,
The Elusive Queen
Willamette Valley, Oregon
The best barrels of Chardonnay for the vintage. The 2017 is a scant 102 case production. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The nose is seductive with scents that show apple, buttercream, lemon curd, fresh pineapple, star fruit and quince with notes of oak, brown butter, spice and hints of crushed rock, white flowers and sous bois.
The palate shows incredible texture that is smooth and creamy. The palate brings flavors of rich buttercream, lemon curd, under-ripe pineapple, apple, carambola, quince, orange blossom and spice with oak nuances and hints of sous bois, crushed rock and mineral. The finish lingers easily
2017 Two Squared, Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California
This is the second label of Alpha Omega. 100% Napa Valley Chardonnay fermented in 80% stainless steel and 20% French oak (1-year-old). Aged 9 months in stainless.
Aromas show notes of apple pie, nectarine, dried pineapple and fruit cake with scents of acacia flowers, chalk, orange zest and hints of baking spice and marmalade.
The palate shows richness and ripe fleshy textures. Acidity is moderate/moderate-plus. Flavors of marmalade, baked apples, nectarines, dried pineapple, white flowers, baking spices, chalk and earth. The finish lingers.
2016 Far Niente, Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California
A completely balanced Napa Valley Chardonnay. Not one component overrides the other, everything working in synergy.
This Chardonnay is barrel fermented with no malo conversion. Aged 10 months sur lie in French oak 51% New and the balance in once used.
Aromas show off Tart Tatin, citrus oil, white flowers, brioche, nutmeg, clove, vanilla and a hint of almond.
The palate is elegant and balanced with smooth textures and a round mouth-feel and juicy acidity. Subtle spiced laced notes come with pear tart, citrus oil, honey suckle, brioche, almond and vanilla.
Lingers moderately on the palate.
Bourgogne, France
Produced from two parcels of 40-year-old vines; one across a narrow road from Meursault-Charmes and another within the Meursault appellation. This wine has more Meursault character than the vast majority of Meursault villages wines.
A patient eighteen-month élevage, with little new oak and by avoiding aggressive lees stirring.
The chalk laced aromas of lemon and apple bring in notes of spice, yoghurt, white flowers, oak and cut herb.
The palate shows bright high acidity, and a creamy mouthfeel. Flavors follow suite from the nose with lemon, apple, yoghurt, chalky earth, white flowers, spice and gentle oak. The finish is moderate in intensity and length and is pleasant.
2018 Domaine Dupont-Fahn, Puligny-Montrachet ‘Les Charmes’
Puligny-Montrachet ‘Les Charmes’, France
Located just below the Puilgny Premier Cru vineyard "Les Refere", these vines are around 55 years old planted in Rocky clay-limestone soil. Farmed sustainably. Aged 12 months on the lees in approximately 20% new French oak.
The nose has a creamy profile that suggests scent of yogurt and lemon meringue incorporate nuances of fine French oak, apple, starfruit and white flowers with hints of chalk, vanilla and light spice.
High acidity upon entry meets a creamy texture and a touch of phenolic structure. Flavors show a balance of flavors that flirt with apple, star fruit, white flowers, lemon, chalk, meringue, yoghurt, vanilla, oak and spice. The finish hangs in highlighting the creamy mid-palate framed with the structural components.
2019 Rivers-Marie, Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, California
Only 450 cases produced. This vintage is actually a single vineyard bottling from Riddle Vineyard in Occidental that is planted to the Wente clone.
This wine offers plenty of intensity on the nose with layers of chalk laced white peach, orange blossom, lemon meringue, lime zest and French oak notes of, spice with hints of butter and a faint trace of mint.
Full throttle on the palate that palate with great intensity. Mouthwatering acidity and a creamy mouthfeel are accompanied by flavors of lemon meringue, white peach, lemon-lime, chalk and white flowers that give way to the firm oak presence end lactic notes. The creamy finish is balanced and long revealing spice and mineral
2016 Bethel Heights, Chardonnay ‘Casteel’
Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
The wineries favorite lots from their oldest Chardonnay vines.
The fruit was whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented in 228 L oak barrels and one 500 L oak puncheon. The wine was aged on the lees with complete malolactic fermentation, and bottled after 15 months in barrel.
Downright stunning aromas show lemon curd, toasted meringue, roasted hazelnuts, apple, sea spray, wild flowers, starfruit, luxurious oak, petrichor, crushed Autumn leaves, honeycomb, crème fraiche, mineral and hints of spice.
The palate is no less impressive with a creamy texture, bright acidity and deep penetrating flavors of lemon meringue, toasted hazelnuts, sea brine, spiced apples, poached pear, starfruit, earth, mineral, French oak and delicate vanilla nuances with notes of cream and honey butter. The textured finish is long, elegant and dry.
2015 Antica Terra, Chardonnay ‘Aequorin’
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Only produced in certain vintages and in miniscule quantities.
Incredibly intense and incredibly complex on both the nose and the palate. Acidity, alcohol, phenolics and weight all perfectly balanced. Mouth filling textures are suave and sleek. You can feel the power of this wine, but the power is so precisely executed with elegance and poise. The finish lingers endlessly. Perfection!
2019 Open Claim Vineyards, Chardonnay
Mt. Pisgah-Polk County AVA, Oregon
Aromas are on the rich side and show balance and intensity. Notes of lemon curd, white peach, spiced apples and crème brûlée pair with scents of butterscotch, wildflowers, vanilla, river stone, sea breeze and faint hints of mint that fade in and out.
On the palate, textured with a creamy mouthfeel, almost unctuous across the mid-palate. The acidity provides freshness, structure and balance. Flavors of lemon curd, spiced apples and peach come with vanilla crème brûlée, light butterscotch and orchard blossoms with mineral nuances the play out effortlessly through the long, baking spice laced finish.
Sensational.
Aged 16 months in French Oak barrels (33% new).