Chardonnay
Chardonnay is arguably the best and most widely planted white wine grape in the world, with bottlings from Old and New World readily available throughout the globe. It is the signature white grape of Burgundy where it produces a variety of styles, from minerally, unoaked Chablis to decadent, full and toasty wines of Montrachet and Pouilly-Fuissé. It is also the main white grape used in Champagne, and the sole grape used in Blanc de Blancs. It is also common in California, where it is often oak aged. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Chardonnay among our extensive Chardonnay wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Chardonnay reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Chardonnay, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.
Hartford Court 2007 Stone Côte Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)
- $60
The vineyard is in the interior part of the appellation, toward Carneros, and the wine displays the firm, acidic minerality of that cool, foggy region. It has fantastic limpidity. The oak is remarkable for the purity of vanilla and smoky honey, while the underlying flavors of Meyer lemons, pineapples, nectarines and kumquats are decadently good. A masterpiece of…
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)
Au Bon Climat 2006 Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $35
Chardonnay doesn’t get much better than this. Bursts with grilled pineapple-infused crème brûlée, peach pie, butter-sautéed banana, passion fruit and butterscotch flavors, dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar. Yet all that opulence is balanced by perfect acidity. Totally gorgeous.
— S.H.
(10/1/2009)
Joseph Drouhin 2006 Marquis de Laguiche Premier Cru Chardonnay (Chassagne-Montrachet)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $114
Drouhin has the exclusivity on the Marquis de Laguiche domaine, which is producing great white wine. Here, minerality and citrus acidity are layered over beautifully judged wood. The wine is rich but crisp, white berries mingling with pears and a delicious finishing spice. Age for 5–6 years. Imported by Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.
— R.V.
(10/1/2009)
Gary Farrell 2007 Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)
- $50
A tremendous, powerful, authoritative Chardonnay, among the elites of California. Just massive in pineapple-infused crème brûlée, pear custard, buttered toast, roasted hazelnut, and cinnamon spice flavors, offset by refreshing acidity and grounded with a floor of firm minerals. Retains elegance and class despite the power. Drink now–2013. Just 299 cases were…
— S.H.
(12/31/2009)
Domaine Leflaive 2007 Les Pucelles Premier Cru Chardonnay (Puligny-Montrachet)
- $260
A powerful wine, showing rich, opulent Chardonnay. The spice and acidity crispen the wine, but leave the powerful fruit in all its glory.
— R.V.
(7/1/2010)
Rusack 2008 Reserve Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
- $32
Guaranteed to please the most discriminating Chardonnay fans for its dry crispness, great structure and endless opulence. Massively complex, offering waves of grilled pineapple, pear, buttered toast and smoky vanilla. The grapes came mainly from Bien Nacido Vineyard, with the balance from Sierra Madre. Only 338 cases produced.
— S.H.
(8/1/2010)
Ojai 2007 Clos Pepe Vineyard Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)
- Online Exclusive
- $38
Huge, rich, white Burgundy style Chardonnay. Has a pie-filling fruity richness of pineapples, lemondrop, pears, kiwi fruit and exotic kumquats, balanced with fine, minerally acidity, and wrapped into a buttercream texture. The oak is flamboyant, but perfectly in keeping with the wine’s volume. Dazzling and dramatic, from a vineyard that just keeps performing better…
— S.H.
(8/1/2010)
William Fèvre 2007 Les Clos Grand Cru Chardonnay (Chablis)
- Cellar Selection
- $110
From the largest of the Chablis Grand Cru, this wine shows a lively fruit character but also a powerful, taut mineral streak that comes through to dominate. There is no doubt this needs aging, with its steely edge and vivid acidity.
— R.V.
(7/1/2010)
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