White Wine

Expert Review — Vintage 2021

Decanter 96 Points (Clive Pursehouse) | "Quite the Chardonnay from Brianne Day and the renowned Eola Springs Vineyard in the best Chardonnay appellation in America." Three different blocks and three different clones: Hyde Wente, Mount Eden, and Dijon 96. Captivating lemon curd aromas and rich, honeyed apricots followed by almond pastry cream — dollops of rich lemon cream, ripe peach fuzz, and rich apricot flesh.

Winemaker Notes

Brianne Day chose three blocks and three clones from the gorgeous Eola Springs Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills to get to know the site intimately. Hyde Wente and Mount Eden (California heritage clones) were picked earlier for structure and acid; Dijon 96 was picked later for stone fruit and riper character.

The result is lively, lithe, and built on a solid mineral structure with a supple, glossy mid-palate. Lemon curd, peaches, river stones, lime zest, sweet orange, honeysuckle, and a hint of pastry all come to mind.

Tasting & Pairings

Lemon curd, honeyed apricot, almond pastry cream, peach fuzz, river stones, lime zest, and honeysuckle. Lively and lithe with mineral structure and a glossy mid-palate. Serve lightly chilled.

• Lobster or crab with drawn butter — the wine’s richness and acidity are a perfect match.
• Roasted chicken with tarragon — a classic pairing for textured, mineral-driven Chardonnay.
• Aged Comté or Gruyère — nutty cheeses complement the pastry cream and stone fruit notes.

Frog's Leap · Napa Valley, California · 2023

Frog's Leap is one of Napa Valley's most celebrated organic estates, farming without pesticides or herbicides since 1981 and dry-farming their vineyards to encourage deep root systems and natural vine stress. Their Shale and Stone Chardonnay takes its name from the ancient fractured shale soils beneath their Napa Valley vineyards — a terroir that imparts a striking minerality and stony tension rarely found in California Chardonnay. Vinified entirely in concrete with extended sur lie aging, this wine is crafted without new oak, allowing the fruit and soil character to speak for themselves.

The 2023 vintage in Napa Valley delivered ideal growing conditions — warm days, cool nights, and a late harvest that built exceptional concentration while retaining the freshness that defines this bottling. In the glass, spiced apples and ripe pears open alongside hints of citrus peel and raw almonds. The palate is taut yet generous — medium to full-bodied with a compact, lightly phenolic texture, vivid acidity, and a long, lingering mineral finish. Drink now or hold through 2028.

"Spiced apples and pears with hints of citrus peel and raw almonds on the nose. Tense and juicy with medium to full body and a compact, lightly phenolic texture. Vivid and lingering."
— James Suckling, 91 Points.

"The 2023 Chardonnay Shale and Stone, from Truchard in Carneros, is all class. Apricot, lemon confit, marzipan, tangerine peel, tropical fruit and a kiss of French oak grace this exotic, dynamic Chardonnay from Frog's Leap. Airy and gracious, with stunning balance, the 2023 is fabulous in every way." - 96 Points VINOUS

• Producer: Frog's Leap Winery, Rutherford, Napa Valley
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA, California
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Farming: Certified Organic, Dry-Farmed
• Vinification: Concrete aging, extended sur lie, no new oak
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Spiced apple, ripe pear, citrus peel, raw almond, stony minerality, vivid acidity
• Food Pairings: Grilled halibut, roast chicken, oysters, goat cheese, vegetable risotto

Napa Chardonnay at its most honest — organic, unoaked, mineral-driven, and built to last.

Ramey Woolsey Road Vineyard Chardonnay — Russian River Valley, California 2023

Ramey Wine Cellars is one of California's most celebrated addresses for Chardonnay — founded in 1996 by David and Carla Ramey, and now co-led by the second generation, Claire and Alan. David Ramey, hailed as "Professor Chardonnay" by Wine Spectator, pioneered whole-cluster pressing, sur lies aging, malolactic fermentation, and native yeast fermentations in California. Woolsey Road is Ramey's most personal vineyard: planted by the Martinelli family at Ramey's invitation, using Old Wente cuttings sourced directly from Hyde Vineyard, and farmed by the third and fourth generations of the Martinelli family. The result is a laser-focused Chardonnay of extraordinary precision. James Suckling awarded the 2023 vintage 96 points; Wine Advocate 95.

One of the most compelling single-vineyard Chardonnays in Sonoma.

The nose is pretty and perfumed: peach, lime custard, lemongrass, green apple, golden apple, Bosc pear, pie crust, and roasted almond. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, and sapid — rich but lively, with baking spices and youthfully flinty flavors framed by racy, citrus-driven acidity that adds real tension. The texture is seamless and long, building toward a very extended, precise finish. Drink now or hold.

James Suckling 96 — "Very pretty, fruity... then more concentrated, structured and tense on the palate. Rich but lively texture. Drink now or hold."

Wine Advocate 95 — "Exotic and perfumed... concentrated and sapid with youthfully flinty flavors. Racy acidity adds tension, and it has a very long finish."

• Producer: Ramey Wine Cellars, Healdsburg, California
• Vineyard: Woolsey Road Vineyard (Martinelli Family), Russian River Valley
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma County
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay (Old Wente clone)
• Vinification: Whole-cluster pressing, native yeast fermentation, sur lies barrel aging, malolactic fermentation, unfiltered
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Peach, lime custard, lemongrass, green apple, Bosc pear, roasted almond, flinty mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or hold
• Best Paired With: Roast halibut, lobster bisque, truffle pasta, roast chicken, aged Comté, scallops

A 96-point single-vineyard Chardonnay from California's most principled Chardonnay house — Ramey Woolsey Road is the benchmark for what Russian River Valley can achieve.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Vinous 93 Points | The 2021 Chardonnay Cordillera de los Andes comes from the Talinay vineyard in Limarí. 50% was aged in French barrels, 23% of them new. Yellow with a greenish sheen. The nose offers green apple notes with hints of pear, acacia, hazelnuts and a whiff of praline over a bed of oak. In the mouth it has a saline feel with a slightly creamy flow and pert freshness. A long-lasting wine.

Winemaker Description 

Louis Latour · Bourgogne · 2025

Louis Latour Bourgogne Chardonnay 2025 is a fresh, floral expression of white Burgundy, combining generous white peach fruit with a supple texture and a refreshing mineral finish. Made entirely from Chardonnay and aged without oak, it keeps the grape’s delicate aromatics and fruit character in focus.

Hand-harvested grapes come from vines averaging 30 years of age. Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel is followed by full malolactic fermentation, lending roundness to the palate. Eight to ten months of aging in stainless steel preserves the wine’s freshness and floral appeal.

Tasting Notes

Pale gold with green highlights, the wine opens with honeysuckle and fresh almond aromas. The palate is rounded and generous, with white peach flavors leading to a refreshing finish and a subtle mineral touch.

Food Pairings & Serving

Enjoy as an aperitif or alongside shellfish, grilled fish and fine charcuterie. Serve lightly chilled to bring out its freshness and delicate aromatics.

Details

• Producer: Louis Latour
• Vintage: 2025
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy (Bourgogne)
• Appellation: Bourgogne AOC
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Type: White wine
• Style: Dry and unoaked
• Vines: Average age of 30 years
• Harvest: Hand-harvested
• Fermentation: Temperature-controlled stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Aging: Eight to ten months in stainless steel

Hess Select Chardonnay Monterey County 2025 · Monterey County, California, United States

Producer Description

Hess Collection is one of California’s most respected family-owned wineries, with estates spanning Napa Valley and beyond. Hess Select is their approachable everyday label — crafted with the same attention to quality as their flagship wines but designed for the table. This Monterey County Chardonnay draws from one of California’s premier cool-climate appellations, where Pacific breezes off Monterey Bay preserve natural acidity and allow grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, producing Chardonnay of genuine character at an honest price.

Winemaker’s Notes

Monterey’s combination of moderate climate and marine influences from the Pacific Ocean keep the grapes balanced and able to develop fully ripe flavors. A classic Central Coast Chardonnay, this wine offers tropical aromas of grilled pineapple with a hint of star fruit and vanilla. Nicely balanced, Hess Select Chardonnay is medium-bodied with layers of sliced peaches and golden delicious apples, finishing crisp and clean with well-balanced acid. — Hess

Tasting Notes

This Hess Select Chardonnay opens with inviting aromas of grilled pineapple and lemon zest, lifted by a hint of oak — approachable from the very first pour. On the palate, layers of sliced white peach and Golden Delicious apple linger gracefully through the finish. A delicate brioche toast note and bright, refreshing acidity make this a California Chardonnay you'll keep coming back to, sip after sip.

A thoughtful blend of 70% stainless steel and 30% French oak fermentation keeps the wine fresh and bright while adding a touch of richness. The nose opens with aromas of grilled pineapple, star fruit, and vanilla, leading to a medium-bodied palate of sliced peach and golden apple, with a touch of crème brûlée on the finish — clean, balanced, and crowd-pleasing.

Food Pairings

Roast chicken, grilled halibut, lobster mac and cheese, creamy pasta, Brie, aged cheddar, and goat cheese.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Monterey County, California, United States
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White

Kendall-Jackson | Santa Barbara County, California | Chardonnay | 2023

Santa Barbara County's unique east-west mountain orientation channels cold Pacific breezes deep into the estate vineyards of the Santa Maria and Los Alamos Valleys — a geological quirk that produces grapes of exceptional intensity and natural acidity. Aged in partly new French oak, the Grand Reserve Chardonnay delivers a creamy, layered texture grounded by bright minerality from the region's calcareous soils. This is KJ at its most refined: lush, structured, and built for the table.

Clones: Dijon and Rued
Oak: Partly new French oak
Drink: Now–2028

Tasting Notes

• Lush tropical fruit, citrus, and floral notes on the nose
• Vanilla, spice, and calciferous minerality on the palate
• Creamy mouthfeel | Bright acidity | Long, rich finish

Pairings: Crab cakes, scallops, roast chicken, soft cheeses, creamy pasta

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

Chablis achieves its highly distinctive mineral character due to its cool northerly climate and its highly calcareous soil. The Domaine Louis Moreau Petit Chablis is fresh and aromatic, with notes of apple and citrus on the nose. Bright acidity and a roundness on the palate.

Martin Ray Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — Sonoma Coast, California 2024

Martin Ray is one of California's most storied names in Chardonnay — a producer with deep roots in Sonoma winemaking whose commitment to sourcing from premium, standout vineyard sites throughout the vast and rugged Sonoma Coast has consistently produced wines that overperform at their price point. The 2024 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a multi-vineyard blend assembled from the region’s top-performing sites, crafted to pay honorable tribute to the esteemed AVA. The result is a bright, layered, and minerally driven white that earned 93 Points from James Suckling and delivers well above its price.

The nose is fresh and expressive: citrus blossom, green apple, Asian pear, sliced apple, and oyster shell, with lovely aromatic density. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with a lively core of lemon curd, crisp pineapple, and citrus zest, framed by subtle oak tones of vanilla and baking spice. The texture is both fresh and rounded, with vibrant acidity and a mineral lift that carries through to a long, clean finish. It is elegant, food-friendly, and deeply satisfying — the kind of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay that disappears fast.

"A solid Chardonnay with sliced apple, lime and oyster shell aromas. It’s medium-bodied with lovely density and hints of nougat, pears and green mangoes." — James Suckling, 93 Points. (Vintage 2024). 

• Producer: Martin Ray Winery, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast AVA, California
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Aging: Oak-aged for vanilla, baking spice & citrus complexity with mineral lift
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus blossom, green apple, Asian pear, lemon curd, pineapple, oyster shell, vanilla, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled halibut, roasted chicken, lobster bisque, soft cheeses, Caesar salad

Sonoma Coast’s benchmark value Chardonnay at an honest price — Martin Ray is the standard for what multi-vineyard, mineral-driven California Chardonnay can deliver.

White Walnut Estate · Worden Hill Road · Dundee Hills · 2019

A biodynamically grown Oregon Chardonnay with layered fruit, bright acidity, and a sleek, creamy texture. The 2019 bottling brings together nectarine, citrus peel, and floral aromatics with the flinty detail and lingering finish highlighted in its expert review.

Producer & Place

White Walnut Estate’s supplied winemaker description identifies this wine as a regional blend showcasing the Dundee Hills AVA. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it reflects the producer’s commitment to minimal-intervention winemaking.

Tasting Notes

Nectarine, honeysuckle, and bee pollen meet citrus peel, grilled pineapple, and apricot. Richness builds across the palate, balanced by fresh acidity and a smooth texture, with lemon-drop and mineral notes carrying through the finish.

Expert Review · 2019 Vintage

Year’s Best US Chardonnay, Wine & Spirits Magazine.

James Suckling, 94 Points | Grilled pineapple, apricot, hawthorn, burnt lime and flint on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and a sleek, creamy texture. Balanced, fresh and long. Beautiful expression. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now or hold.

Winemaker Description

White Walnut Estate | The 2019 'Dundee Hills Chardonnay' is a regional blend showcasing the best of the Dundee Hills AVA. Refined aromas of nectarines, honeysuckle, and bee pollen ascend from the glass, coalescing with notes of citrus peel. Layers upon layers of richness extend across the palate and crescendo to a seamless, persistent finish with lingering notes of lemon drop candy. This wine has the energy and drive to drink young or over the next decade. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking.

Pairing & Serving Suggestions

Try with seared scallops, roast chicken, halibut with lemon butter, or a mushroom tart. Serve chilled and allow a little time in the glass for the floral aromatics and layered texture to unfold.

Wine Details

• Producer: White Walnut Estate
• Listing designation: Worden Hill Road
• Vintage: 2019
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Appellation: Dundee Hills, Oregon
• Country: United States
• Farming: Biodynamically grown grapes, per James Suckling
• Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered
• Size: 750ml

A layered Dundee Hills Chardonnay that pairs generous texture with freshness and mineral detail.

Kumeu River Village Chardonnay — Kumeu 2025

Kumeu River is New Zealand’s benchmark for Chardonnay — full stop. The Brajkovich family has been producing world-class wine from their 30-hectare estate in Kumeu, west of Auckland, since the pioneering days of the New Zealand wine industry, and their Chardonnays he Village label draws on fruit from Kumeu and Hawkes Bay, capturing the estate’s signature minerality and precision in an approachable, early-drinking style.

2025 was an outstanding vintage: a dry, warm growing season with steady temperatures and moderate yields produced fruit of exceptional richness and aromatic intensity. The nose is lively and expressive — lime, lemon, fig, and white peach with a flinty, mineral edge. On the palate, it is weighty and textural, with peachy ripeness and a crisp, cleansing acidity that gives the wine its signature refreshing quality. Delightful as an aperitif; even better with the table.

• Producer: Kumeu River Wines, Kumeu, Auckland, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: Kumeu, New Zealand
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lime, lemon, fig, white peach, flinty minerality, weighty mid-palate, crisp finish
• Best Paired With: Fish, shellfish, roasted chicken, soft cheeses, aperitif

The global benchmark for New Zealand Chardonnay — Kumeu River Village is precision, minerality, and terroir in every glass.

Elena Walch Selezione Alto Adige Chardonnay 2025 is an elegant and beautifully balanced white wine from one of northern Italy’s most respected family-owned estates. Located in Alto Adige, where the dramatic Dolomite mountains create ideal conditions for producing vibrant, expressive white wines, Elena Walch has become synonymous with quality, innovation, and a distinctive sense of place.

Originally trained as an architect, Elena Walch helped establish the winery’s international reputation through her pioneering approach to viticulture and winemaking. Today, her daughters Julia and Karoline continue the family legacy, bringing a new generation of expertise and dedication to the estate.

The 2025 Selezione Chardonnay showcases the freshness and finesse that make Alto Adige such an exciting region for this classic grape variety. Aromas of white peach, orchard fruits, and delicate floral notes mingle with subtle hints of blanched almonds and stony minerality. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and creamy, offering an appealing combination of ripe fruit, lively acidity, and elegant structure.

Its refreshing mineral character provides balance and precision, leading to a clean, harmonious finish. This is a Chardonnay that delivers richness without heaviness, making it both approachable and sophisticated.

Food Pairing: An excellent companion to grilled fish, shellfish, roasted poultry, creamy risotto, fresh pasta, and mild cheeses. Its bright acidity and rounded texture also make it a delightful aperitif.

Expert Ratings

91 Points — James Suckling, reviewed by Andrii Stetsiuk:  "White peaches and blanched almonds with a stony, mineral edge. Medium-bodied and creamy, yet fresh, with a clean finish. Drink now." — Andrii Stetsiuk, 2026

90 Points - Wines Spectator: "A fresh and floral version, with crisp acidity creating a buoyant frame for flavors of Gala apple, blood orange zest, green almond and mineral. Lightly chalky on the finish. Drink now. 3,400 cases made." — Alison Napjus, 2026

A beautifully crafted Alto Adige Chardonnay that combines alpine freshness, creamy elegance, and exceptional value.

Wine Specifications

• Producer: Elena Walch

• Wine: Selezione Chardonnay

• Country: Italy

• Region: Alto Adige (South Tyrol), Trentino-Alto Adige

• Appellation: Alto Adige DOC

• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Wine Type: Dry White Wine

• Alcohol: 13% ABV

• Soil: Limestone

• Vineyard Exposure: Southeast-facing

• Vineyard Elevation: Mid-altitude vineyards reaching up to 600 meters (1,970 feet)

• Harvest: Entirely hand-harvested

• 2025 Harvest Season: August 27 through late September

• Vinification: Gentle pressing followed by low-temperature static clarification. Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at approximately 20°C (68°F).

• Maturation: Several months on fine lees in stainless steel tanks

• Oak Aging: None

• Residual Sugar: 0.8 g/L

• Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L

• Serving Temperature: 54–57°F (12–14°C)

• Aging Potential: 3–5 years

• Food Pairings: Mediterranean cuisine, seafood, freshwater fish, pasta, roasted poultry, and mild cheeses

About the 2025 Harvest

The 2025 growing season in Alto Adige delivered excellent conditions for producing fresh, balanced white wines. Following early flowering and a warm, dry June, cooler temperatures in July helped preserve the grapes' natural acidity. Favorable ripening conditions in August and a September marked by alternating sunshine and occasional rainfall allowed the grapes to reach optimal maturity. The resulting vintage combines expressive fruit character with freshness and balance.

Tasting Notes

Our LIGHT Chardonnay is a fresh yet soft style with subtle hints of oak that give the wine a sweet finish. With flavors of lemon, apple, ripe apricot and offering a guilt free indulgence without compromising on taste or quality.

Naturally lower sugars yield less alcohol allowing our winemakers to achieve 9% ABV with minimal alcohol extraction post fermentation.

Wine Analysis

• Blend: 100% Chardonnay
• Winemaking Notes: Fermented and aged in combination of stainless steel and neutral American oak. 100% malolactic
• TA: 0.58g/100mL
• PH: 3.48
• Average analysis per 5 oz: 80 calories, 2.1g carbs, 0g protein, 0g fat, gluten free
• Alcohol: 9.0%

Louis Latour Grand Ardèche Chardonnay — Coteaux de l’Ardèche, France 2023

Louis Latour is one of Burgundy’s most storied and respected négociant-éleveurs, with roots going back to 1797 in Aloxe-Corton. Their Grand Ardèche is a landmark wine in its category — a Chardonnay from the wild, granite-soiled hills of the Ardèche in southern France, first released in 1979 as one of the original “Vin de Pays” experiments and still one of the best examples of what Chardonnay can achieve outside of Burgundy. Crafted with the same attention and philosophy that Louis Latour applies to their Burgundy whites, Grand Ardèche consistently over-delivers for its price, earning it a loyal following among sommeliers and Burgundy lovers alike.

The color is pale gold with green highlights, clean and inviting. The nose is rich and aromatic: honey, acacia blossom, and roasted almond, with the restrained, elegant character that is Latour’s hallmark. On the palate, the wine is textured and well-rounded, with fine integrated acidity and a distinctive saline, mineral finish that lingers and keeps the glass coming back. It is the rare Chardonnay that is both immediately pleasurable and genuinely thought-provoking.

“A pale yellow colour with pale green hues. Its rich nose reveals aromas of honey, acacia and almond. Backed by fine acidity, this wine leaves a slightly saline finish that will leave your taste buds salivating.” — Louis Latour

• Producer: Louis Latour, Aloxe-Corton, Burgundy (est. 1797)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Coteaux de l’Ardèche — Vin de Pays, France
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Honey, acacia, roasted almond, fine acidity, saline mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Aperitif, oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, charcuterie, soft goat cheese, roast chicken

Burgundy’s most respected house applies its craft to southern France — Louis Latour Grand Ardèche is the insider’s Chardonnay: Burgundian elegance, Ardèche character, and remarkable value at $24.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | While this wine is currently quiet, it shows a lot of promise. Mouthwatering and long on the palate, it offers attractive citrus pith, delicate white flowers and fresh almonds.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

The skills and know-how at Prosper Maufoux have been at the service of a wide range of Burgundian appellations since 1860. Whether they are regional appellations or Grand Crus, the firm remains equally exacting in terms of vine tending techniques, grape quality, vinification and maturing; always aiming at getting the very best from each terroir.

VINIFICATION

Direct Press – Thanks to our pneumatic presses, we carry out slow pressing. Only the first presses of our highest quality batches are selected for the final blend. Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Second fermentation and ageing : The second fermentation, which takes place inside the bottle, is generated by the addition of yeasts and sugar. The wines are then aged on their lees between 12 and 15 months.

VARIETALS: 40% Chardonnay ; 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay
APPELLATION: AOC Crémant de Bourgogne – Traditional Method Sparkling Wines
ALCOHOL: 12.0%

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Pale gold color
AROMA: The nose is fruity with notes of exotic fruits and citrus.
FLAVOR: Expresses white flowers and pastries.

Our Professional Review

Bart of 67wino.shop writes | Beautifully sculpted and finely detailed, this delicious village white Burgundy has a terrific bouquet of white orchard fruits, wildflowers and lemon zest. There is lovely mouth presence with layers of flavor highlighted with mineral complexity and perfectly balanced acidity. This is a wine that presents itself in the glass with elegance and sophistication, and will accompany fine dining gracefully with finesse and savoir faire!

Winemaker Description 

Tasting note

Aromas of hawthorn, acacia which evolve with age to ambre, honey and spices. A harmonious and pleasant body on the palate.
Food pairings

Ideal with the pastas and risottos with seafood, the cheeses such as the blue cheeses.

Hahn Estate S.L.H. Chardonnay — Santa Lucia Highlands 2021

Hahn Estate’s S.L.H. Chardonnay is one of California’s most compelling cool-climate expressions of the variety — and the 2021 vintage delivers with exceptional clarity and energy. Sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, one of Monterey County’s most celebrated appellations, the vineyards sit at elevations between 1,200 and 2,200 feet, where cool Pacific winds and dramatic diurnal temperature swings preserve natural acidity and build genuine complexity. The result is a Chardonnay of viscous texture, welcoming acidity, and layered fruit — earning 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and representing outstanding value at this price.

The nose is inviting and aromatic: lemon peel, lychee, wet rock, citrus, stone fruit, and hints of banana and vanilla. On the palate, it lands with clean, brisk energy — lime peel, rounded ripe melon, stone fruits, apple, and a touch of spice — with a viscous mouthfeel and a finish that is fresh, focused, and satisfying.

Wine Enthusiast 90 — “Lemon peel, lychee and wet-rock aromas converge on the nose. The palate lands with clean, brisk energy, offering flavors of lime peel with rounded, ripe melon.”

• Producer: Hahn Estate, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California, USA
• Vintage: 2021
• Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Elevation: 1,200–2,200 feet
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, lychee, wet rock, stone fruit, banana, vanilla, lime, ripe melon, apple, spice
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, grilled halibut, lobster bisque, creamy pasta, soft-ripened cheeses

Cool-climate precision at a warm-hearted price — Hahn’s S.L.H. Chardonnay is the Santa Lucia Highlands at its most approachable.

Folie à Deux · Chardonnay · Russian River Valley · 2023

Folie à Deux Russian River Chardonnay 2023 balances generous California fruit with fresh acidity. Pear, apple, pineapple and apricot mingle with nutmeg and vanilla, while the richly textured palate stays bright and focused. Creamy yet crisp, it is an inviting white for the table.

Producer & Terroir

Named for the French phrase “a passion shared by two,” Folie à Deux highlights California appellations with an emphasis on value. This Chardonnay comes from cool-climate vineyards in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, where Pacific fog and a long growing season help preserve freshness and develop complexity.

Expert Review  - Vintage 2023

James Suckling · 91 Points · 2023. Aromas of citrus, ripe pears, baked apples, nuts and a touch of vanilla. The palate is full-bodied with a rounded, fruit-forward mouthfeel and balanced acidity, giving a smooth and generous finish. Good value.

Winemaker Description

Folie à Deux Winemaker. “Indicative of its cool-climate origins, with bright acidity beneath notes of pear, apple, pineapple, apricot, nutmeg and vanilla — all framed by a richly textured palate.”

Pairing & Serving

Try roast chicken, grilled salmon, shrimp pasta or a creamy mushroom risotto. Serve chilled, allowing a little time in the glass for the fruit and spice notes to open.

Details

• Producer: Folie à Deux
• Vintage: 2023
• Country: United States
• Region: California
• County: Sonoma County
• Appellation: Russian River Valley
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White wine
• Bottle size: 750ml

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Jasper Morris 92-94 Points | Mid lemon. A little more stuffing than the very agreeable Chenevottes, digging deep into fresh yellow fruit, some citrus rind, good acidity, and a particularly appealing intense crisp white fruit finish. Old vines count! 

Neal Martin writes:  The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Champs Gain 1er Cru has a touch more mineralité on the nose compared to the Les Chenevottes, touches of gypsum and oyster shell intermingling with light white linen scents. The palate is very well balanced and beautifully poised, with entrancing white peach and nectarine notes toward the irresistible finish. Yes, yes, yes!  Drinking 2025 to 2048.  - Vinous 93-95

William Kelley writes: Aromas of citrus zest, peach and pear, mingled with hints of white flowers, hazelnuts and fresh bread, preface the 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs Gain, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and nicely concentrated wine with a bright spine of acidity and a mouthwateringly chalky finish. This looks to be Colin's best Champs Gain since 2017.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 91-93

Winemaker Description 

Founded in 1970 by Marc Colin and his wife Michele, Domaine Marc Colin now spans 15 hectares encompassing 26 appellations in St. Aubin, Chassagne, Puligny, and Santenay. Most of the land was inherited from past generations of Colin and Ponavoy; certain parcels have been in the family for more than 100 years. While the family does own prime territory in Chassagne, home base in St. Aubin features parcels of the very best vineyards, En Remilly and Chatenière, to name a few. These vineyards accrue prestige due to their sloped location; while much of St. Aubin resides on flat ground (rendering less interesting wines) the Colin properties are all situated on finely pitched hillsides. The resulting wines shimmer with savory minerality and luster.

Today Joseph, Caroline, and Damien, the children of Marc and Michele, own and run the domaine. The fourth sibling Pierre-Yves (who made the wine at Marc Colin for 10 years) established his own project in 2005. Sustainable and organic agriculture, older vines, and clay-limestone soils are just some of the components contributing to the quality of the final product. Winemaking style would best be called traditional, though Joseph (who makes the whites) and Damien (who makes the reds) are certainly not shy of innovation. Whites strive for optimum freshness; there is no heavy, ungainly wood here. The red wines are characterized by silky texture, ever-present fruit and a certain roundness with just a kiss of oak. Production consists of 70% white and 30% red with total production maxing out at 120,000 bottles.

Mineral · Fresh · Elegant · Precise · Persistent

A beautifully structured Premier Cru Chablis with orchard fruit, floral lift and classic mineral tension.

Domaine William Fèvre’s Chablis 1er Cru Montmains 2023 is a refined expression of one of Chablis’ most respected Premier Cru vineyards. Montmains is known for producing wines with excellent freshness, firm mineral structure and the ability to develop beautifully with time.

Under longtime winemaker Didier Séguier, William Fèvre brings together fruit from multiple parcels across Montmains, including sections of Forêts and Butteaux. The result is a wine that combines the vineyard’s characteristic restraint and mineral grip with impressive depth, elegance and persistence. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

The 2023 vintage opens with delicate aromas of white blossom, freshly cut golden apple and subtle brioche, joined by notes of green apple, gooseberry, acacia flower and gentle spice.

On the palate, the wine is lively, fresh and beautifully balanced. Bright orchard fruit is carried by crisp acidity, while a firm mineral backbone adds structure and definition. There is excellent substance beneath the freshness, giving the wine both immediate appeal and the potential to develop additional complexity in the cellar.

The finish is long, precise and persistent, with a cool mineral character and subtle saline quality that are unmistakably Chablis.

Food Pairing

Pair with oysters, scallops, crab, lobster and grilled white fish, as well as roast chicken, veal, creamy seafood dishes and fresh goat cheese. Its combination of freshness and structure also makes it an excellent partner for dishes finished with light butter or cream sauces.

Serve lightly chilled to allow the wine’s floral aromas, orchard fruit and mineral complexity to fully emerge.

Professional Ratings

95 Decanter Magazine: In the hands of Fèvre winemaker Didier Séguier, premier cru Montmains has a certain initial reserve. But with time, the green apple and gooseberry notes, touched with acacia blossoms and spice, open up on the palate. The texture is lively and fresh, yet there is substance here as well. The grapes are assembled from 10 parcels throughout Montmains, including some in Forêts and Butteaux. Séguier explains that Butteaux is deep in the valley and further from the Serein so it ripens later. The grapes are fermented in tank and older casks for 40–50% of the harvest.

94 Jasper Morris: Assembled earlier today, so cloudy and this procedure also masks the nose. Classic Montmains behind, with the usual reductive grip, yet also some elegance, very persistent. The lees were first class, says Didier Seguier and this certainly has the makings of a first class Montmains. Barrel sample: 91-94

94 Wine Enthusiast: Delicate aromas of white blossom, brioche, freshly cut golden apple, and dried grass draw in the nose with feathery opulence. The palate is rich with citrusy acidity that plays second fiddle to fall-rip- ened orchard fruit that washes across wet stone on the finish. Editor’s Choice.

93 James Suckling: Lovely elegance with a chalky, marine-like character to the nose, along with lime and minerals. Medium weight, with chalky notes and some white fruit leading to a pithy, lightly salty, bitter finish. Very attractive.

92 Wine Spectator: There’s a sleek feel to this white despite its rich texture, revealing lemon, apple and flint flavors, plus a hint of honey. Harmonious and enticing, this ends with citrus and stone elements. Shows fine expression and length.

The Style

Fresh, elegant and mineral-driven — a classic Premier Cru Chablis with beautiful tension, depth and a long, precise finish.

Defaix Frères Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux — Burgundy 2022

Defaix Frères is a family domaine with deep roots in the Côte Chalonnaise, farming 11 acres of Rully Premier Cru holdings that have been in the family for generations. Les Cloux is one of Rully’s most prized Premier Cru vineyards — a south-facing site that captures the full warmth of the Burgundian sun while retaining the limestone-driven minerality that defines the appellation. The 2022 vintage was a gift: a warm, dry growing season that produced Chardonnay of exceptional ripeness and concentration, with the structure to age gracefully for a decade or more. At this price, it is one of the most compelling Premier Cru values in all of Burgundy.

The color is a luminous golden straw. The nose is refined and expressive: ripe citrus, green apple, white peach, and delicate white flowers, layered with warm spice and a signature note of roasted hazelnut from judicious oak élevage. On the palate, it is fresh and beautifully balanced — crisp acidity framing a subtle creamy texture, with flavors of lemon zest, orchard fruit, and gentle limestone minerality leading to a long, clean, and elegant finish.

“Delicious, open, and friendly — ripe, crisp apples and pears with an undercurrent of warm spices and roasted hazelnut. A judicious use of oak.”

• Producer: Defaix Frères, Rully, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux AOC
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Holdings: 11 acres of Rully Premier Cru
• Style: Refined, expressive, mineral-driven white Burgundy
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, green apple, white peach, white flowers, roasted hazelnut, warm spice, limestone minerality
• Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 8–10 years
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, lobster, seafood, creamy pastas, egg dishes, patés, soft cheeses

Premier Cru Burgundy at an honest price — Defaix Frères Les Cloux is the Côte Chalonnaise at its most compelling.

Louis Jadot Meursault — Côte de Beaune, Burgundy 2022

Louis Jadot is one of Burgundy's most celebrated and trusted négociants, producing wines of exceptional quality and consistency from the Côte d'Or since 1859. Their Meursault is a benchmark expression of this legendary appellation — the village that defines white Burgundy for wine lovers around the world. Meursault's unique combination of limestone and clay soils, combined with the 2022 vintage's exceptional ripeness and natural balance, has produced a Chardonnay of remarkable depth, texture, and longevity.

The nose is rich and inviting: ripe peach, golden apple, and honey layered with toasty oak and a subtle mineral undercurrent. On the palate, it is verging on creamy in texture — vibrant and harmonious, with beautifully integrated oak and a long, layered aftertaste where a distinctive mineral element emerges on the finish. Elegant, complex, and built to age gracefully.

Wine Spectator 92 Points — "Verging on creamy in texture, this white exudes peach, apple and honey flavors wrapped in an embrace of toasty oak. Vibrant and harmonious, with a long, layered aftertaste, where a mineral element emerges. Drink now through 2032." (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Louis Jadot, Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Founded: 1859
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Meursault AOC, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Full-Bodied, Barrel-Aged White Burgundy
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe peach, golden apple, honey, toasty oak, creamy texture, mineral finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2032
• Best Paired With: Lobster, roasted scallops, Dover sole, roast chicken with cream sauce, aged Comté, truffle dishes
• Serve: 55–60°F, decant 15–20 minutes

92 points from Wine Spectator — Louis Jadot Meursault 2022 is white Burgundy at its most seductive: rich, mineral, and built for the ages.

Chardonnay, Moscatel, Fiano | Salento, Puglia / Italy
Vintage: 2023  |  Size: 750ml
90+ Rated

Cantine San Marzano is one of Puglia’s most celebrated cooperative estates, farming the sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot with a commitment to quality that has earned them an international following. “Edda Lei” — named for a woman, as the best things often are — is their flagship white blend: a luxurious, opulent expression of Southern Italian viticulture that draws comparisons to fine white Burgundy, but with the exotic, sun-drenched aromatics that only Salento can deliver.

The 2023 vintage is a blend of Chardonnay, Moscatel, and Fiano, each variety contributing its own dimension. Tropical and yellow fruit lead the nose — pineapple, lychee, and melon — with delicate seashell and floral notes woven throughout. On the palate, it is fresh and gently saline, medium- to full-bodied, with a richness that feels Mediterranean in the best possible sense. A wine with genuine cult appeal and the structure to match.

“Lovely tropical and yellow fruit on the nose, such as pineapple, lychees and melon, as well as seashells and flowers. It’s fresh and gently saline with a medium to full body.”
— James Suckling, 91 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

Pairs with: Sea bass in butter sauce, lobster, scallops, veal, or herb-roasted chicken.

Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Biodynamic 2022 · Burgundy, France

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Charles Curtis MW, Decanter, 94 Points — This village-level wine is a reliable benchmark for the commune. It reflects the sunny character of the vintage with its ripe stone fruit and citrus notes, yet offers depth and complexity as well, with saline hints, flint and fresh white flowers. The texture is silky and approachable. It’s drinking now, but with enough substance to hold for five to 10 years.

Vinous, 92 Points — The 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Village has a nicely detailed bouquet of green apples. It’s a touch spicier than the Bourgogne Blanc with a trace of walnut coming through with aeration. The palate is nicely balanced with a keen line of acidity sour lemon hints and again that spice that lingers on the aftertaste.

Allen Meadows, Burghound, 90-92 Points — A markedly more floral-suffused nose features notes of cool Granny Smith apple citrus and a touch of mineral reduction. The caressing delicious and plump but agreeably energetic medium-bodied flavors possess solid depth and persistence on the balanced firm and highly refreshing finale. This is also excellent for its level and a wine that should drink well after only 3 to 4 years of keeping but age gracefully for a decade. Recommended.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White
• Farming: Biodynamic

Castel Blanc du Castel — Judean Hills, Israel 2023

Domaine du Castel is the founding estate of modern Israeli fine wine. In 1988, Eli Ben Zaken planted the first contemporary vineyard in the Judean Hills in the backyard of his home in Ramat Raziel — almost by chance, and almost entirely by conviction. Within four years, family and friends gathered to harvest the grapes that would become Castel Grand Vin 1992, and a benchmark was set. Today, Eli’s children carry the tradition forward: Ariel (CEO, trained in Beaune), Eytan (winemaker alongside Eli), and Ilana (Director of Export & Procurement). The grandchildren have vineyards bearing their names. This is a family winery in the truest sense — and Blanc du Castel is its most celebrated white wine.

Made from 100% Chardonnay, fermented and matured in French oak barrels for approximately one year in the Burgundian style, with residual sugars preserved to add richness and texture. The result is a wine of genuine complexity: rich and buttery on the nose, with refreshing acidity, citrus, tropical fruit, and roasted almonds. Full, round, and well-balanced, with a fine, long finish. Reaches its peak approximately four years after harvest — the 2023 is drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop through 2027 and beyond.

• Producer: Domaine du Castel, Ramat Raziel, Judean Hills, Israel
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Judean Hills
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Winemaking: Fermented and aged in French oak barrels, Burgundian style
• Certification: Kosher, Vegan
• Size: 750ml
• Serve: 12–14°C (54–57°F)
• Tasting Notes: Rich, buttery bouquet, citrus, tropical fruit, roasted almonds, refreshing acidity, long finish
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, grilled fish, creamy pasta, soft cheeses, seared scallops

Israel’s benchmark Kosher Chardonnay from the estate that started it all — Blanc du Castel is the Judean Hills white that belongs in any serious cellar.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | The 2022 Chardonnay Estate has open, inviting aromas of candied peaches, manuka honey, white pepper and tropical flowers. The satiny, medium-bodied palate pairs concentrated flavors and textural breadth with tangy acidity, and it has a long, flavorful finish.

Winemaker Description 

Los Vascos · Colchagua Valley · 2025

Los Vascos wines blend Lafite tradition with the unique terroir of Chile to create elegant wines that bring exceptional quality to the everyday. The vision of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) to expand their estate took them to South America in 1988, marking the first French viticultural investment in modern Chile. Los Vascos sits in the Colchagua Valley, a closed valley in Chile's central zone roughly 25 miles from the sea, where daily on-shore winds swing temperatures between 68-77°F for optimum grape maturation. With 1,581 acres planted across a 10,000-acre estate at the foot of Mount Cañeten, it's one of the largest vineyards in the Colchagua Valley.

Terroir & Vintage Notes

The estate spans a large diversity of soils: the valley floor holds sand and clay alluvions left by the erosion of neighboring granitic hills, alongside Tosca, a hard soil formed from volcanic ash. Fruit for this Chardonnay is sourced from the coolest parts of Los Vascos in Colchagua. The 2025 growing season saw a winter with above-average temperatures leading to early bud burst, a cooler spring than the relatively warm early summer that followed, before temperatures returned to average and stabilized through harvest.

Winemaking & Aging

Grapes are harvested before daylight to preserve maximum freshness, then pressed and fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks to protect their aromatic potential. The wine is partly aged on its lees, giving it a distinctive, rounded mouthfeel.

Tasting Notes

Crystalline, bright yellow with golden hues. Intense fruit aromas of green pineapple, fresh quince, papaya and jasmine layer with white flowers and grapefruit. The palate is refreshing with good volume, balanced acidity, and a pleasant tension that makes it easy to drink.

Expert Review

"A pure, fresh and restrained chardonnay here with a creamy edge to the lemon zest. A touch of cantaloupe. Creamy, medium-bodied palate with fresh acidity and a composed, supple mouthfeel. No oak." — James Suckling, 91 points (2022 Vintage)

Pairing & Serving

Serve chilled around 45-50°F alongside shellfish, ceviche, roast chicken, or creamy pastas. Its bright acidity and stone-fruit character also make it a natural match for soft cheeses.

Specs

• Producer: Los Vascos (Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite)
• Appellation: Colchagua Valley, Chile
• Vintage: 2025
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml

Domaine Faiveley · Mercurey Blanc · 2024

Chardonnay | Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France | 750ml

Pre-Arrival · Introductory Offer ·

Producer & Terroir

Founded in 1825 in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine Faiveley brings generations of Burgundian experience to its vineyards in Mercurey. Erwan Faiveley and Technical Director Jérôme Flous combine traditional craftsmanship with precise vineyard management, emphasizing aromatic purity, elegance and balance.

This white Burgundy brings together Chardonnay from approximately 3.03 hectares of south-facing parcels, including Les Montots and Bussière. Clay-limestone soils and vines planted in stages from 1984 through 2022 provide the setting for a fresh, fragrant expression of the Côte Chalonnaise.

Winemaker Description

Winemaker's Notes, as supplied in the listing: A beautifully elegant expression of white Burgundy from the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise, Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Blanc 2024 showcases the purity, freshness and delicate charm of Chardonnay grown in the historic vineyards of Mercurey.

The inviting bouquet reveals elegant aromas of orchard fruit and delicate white flowers. On the palate, this refined Chardonnay is supple, fresh and beautifully balanced, offering gentle fruit flavors, subtle richness and a clean, harmonious finish.

Less overtly mineral than Domaine Faiveley's celebrated Clos Rochette, Mercurey Blanc offers a softer, more fragrant expression of the appellation, with a graceful texture and refreshing character that make it exceptionally enjoyable both as an aperitif and with food.

Winemaking

Careful fruit selection and traditional Burgundian white-wine methods preserve Chardonnay's aromatic elegance. Controlled fermentation and thoughtful maturation emphasize fresh orchard fruit, delicate floral notes and a supple, balanced texture.

Pairing & Serving

Pair with grilled seafood, roasted chicken, pan-seared scallops, baked cod or sole meunière. Creamy mushroom pasta, vegetable risotto, goat cheese and lighter poultry dishes also complement its gentle texture and refreshing acidity. Serve at 50–54°F (10–12°C).

Wine Details

• Producer: Domaine Faiveley
• Vintage: 2024
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise
• Appellation: Mercurey AOC
• Classification: Village
• Vineyard area: Approximately 3.03 hectares (7.49 acres)
• Contributing parcels: Les Montots and Bussière
• Soils: Clay and limestone
• Exposure: South-facing
• Style: Dry white wine
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Availability: Pre-arrival introductory offer; ETA October 21, 2026

A fragrant, food-friendly white Burgundy for lovers of orchard fruit, delicate florals and a fresh, graceful finish.

Vendange · California Chardonnay · Magnum 1.5 Liter

Vendange Chardonnay brings California white wine to the table in a generous 1.5-liter magnum. Holding the equivalent of two standard 750ml bottles, this larger format is a practical option for shared meals and casual gatherings.

Whether you are setting the table for friends or planning a family dinner, the magnum offers a straightforward way to serve Chardonnay from one bottle. This listing is for the 1.5-liter format; no vintage is specified.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Serve chilled. As general Chardonnay pairing ideas, try roast chicken, baked fish or creamy pasta, choosing the dish to suit the wine’s character once opened.

Wine Details

• Producer: Vendange
• Region: California, United States
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Style: White wine
• Bottle size: 1.5 liters
• Format: Magnum, equivalent to two standard 750ml bottles

California Chardonnay in a generous format for sharing around the table.

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault Les Corbins — Côte de Beaune 2023

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur is one of Meursault’s most respected family estates, known for wines of precision, tension, and genuine terroir expression. Les Corbins is a southeast-facing lieu-dit located north of the village of Meursault on the road to Volnay, sitting just beneath the premier cru Les Plures — a position that speaks to the quality of the site. François Bitouzet farms a hectare and a half of Chardonnay here, planted between 1974 and 1987 in a particularly deep and rocky clay-limestone soil that imparts the wine’s signature intense minerality and acid-driven tension. Aged 16 months in 20% new barrels, this is a textbook Meursault of excellent weight and complexity — a village wine that drinks with the authority of a premier cru.

The nose is enchanting: intense minerality, subtle buttercream, spice, and a lifted touch of mint. On the palate, it is weighty and precise — the Bitouzet house style of acid-driven tension is fully on display, with the deep clay-limestone soils delivering concentration and structure alongside the classic Meursault richness. A wine of real distinction that will reward cellaring.

67 Wine — “Les Corbins sits just beneath the premier cru Les Plures, and it shows. Intense minerality, buttercream, spice and mint — with the acid-driven tension that defines the Bitouzet-Prieur house style. A village Meursault that drinks like a premier cru.”

• Producer: Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur, Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Meursault AOC
• Lieu-Dit: Les Corbins (SE-facing, north of Meursault village, below premier cru Les Plures)
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vine Age: Planted 1974–1987
• Soil: Deep, rocky clay-limestone
• Aging: 16 months, 20% new oak barrels
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Intense minerality, buttercream, spice, mint, excellent weight, acid-driven tension, long finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2025–2035+
• Best Paired With: Lobster, roast turbot, scallops, roast chicken with cream sauce, aged Comté

Southeast-facing, clay-limestone, vines from 1974 — Bitouzet-Prieur’s Les Corbins is the village Meursault that earns its place among the greats.

Défaix Frères is a respected family domaine based in Milly, one of the most prized villages in the Chablis appellation. The Défaix family has been farming the chalky Kimmeridgian soils of Chablis for generations, producing wines of classic mineral precision and the austere, saline character that defines great Chablis at its finest. Their approach is rooted in respect for the terroir — minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the unique geology of the appellation to speak clearly in every bottle.

The Chablis Village is sourced from estate vineyards planted on the appellation's signature Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils — ancient marine sediments rich in fossilized oyster shells that impart the distinctive flinty minerality and saline tension that set Chablis apart from all other Chardonnay in the world. The cool continental climate of the Yonne valley, with its harsh winters and short, intense growing season, produces Chardonnay of natural freshness, high acidity, and restrained, precise fruit.

Vinification is carried out entirely in stainless steel, with the wine spending 10 months on the fine lees to develop texture and complexity while preserving the purity and tension that are the hallmarks of the style. No oak — just pure, unadulterated Chablis.

The 2023 opens with a restrained, elegant nose of white orchard fruit, citrus, green apple, and subtle floral notes, with a characteristic flinty, mineral undercurrent. On the palate, the wine is fresh and lively, with bright acidity, pronounced minerality, and a clean, saline finish. Pure, flinty, and edgy — classic Village-level Chablis at its most compelling.

Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Chablis, Burgundy, France
Appellation: Chablis AOC
Vintage: 2023
Élevage: Stainless steel; 10 months on fine lees
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, sushi, light poultry, salads, and fresh or soft cheeses. Serve well chilled.

Peter Michael La Carrière Chardonnay — Knights Valley, Sonoma County 2024

Peter Michael Winery is one of California’s most celebrated and collectible producers, farming over 200 acres across three distinct estates — Knights Valley, the Sonoma Coast, and the Oakville bench — within a 1,200-acre preserve alive with forests, wildlife, and cold mountain creeks. La Carrière, named after the ancient quarry on the Knights Valley estate, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Peter Michael Chardonnay lineup — a wine of extraordinary minerality, tension, and precision that draws comparisons to the finest white Burgundy. The 2024 vintage arrives with a remarkable sweep of near-perfect scores.

The nose is ethereal and layered: citrus peel, jasmine, oyster shell, passionfruit, and tangerine, with a perfumed wisteria lift and a stony, briny undercurrent that sets this wine apart from virtually every other California Chardonnay. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet weightless — raw honey, melon, nectarine, and lemon curd balanced by focused, driving acidity and a crystalline minerality that carries through the very long, salty finish. It is beautiful now and built to evolve over the next decade.

“True to its name, La Carrière is full of stony, briny nuances. Citrus peel, jasmine, oyster shell and tangerine peel are all wonderfully vivid in the glass. Airy and translucent — all about crystalline transparency. I especially admire its energy, tension and poise. La Carrière is my personal favorite because of its intense minerality and energy.” — Vinous, 97 pts. (Vintage 2024). 

“Tropical and perfumed with highly floral wisteria and jasmine, as well as notes of passionfruit and lemon-lime meringue. Full-bodied but light on its feet, offering notes of raw honey, melon, and a pleasing salty lift on the close. Can drink well now or over the coming 10 years.” — Jeb Dunnuck, 96 pts. (Vintage 2024). 

“Alluring, layered aromas of nectarine, mango, panna cotta, lime peel and seamlessly integrated, spicy oak. The full-bodied palate has a satiny texture, a dynamic interplay of ripe, expressive fruit with focused, driving acidity and a very long finish.” — Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 96 pts. (Vintage 2024). 

“Plenty of focus and drive, with a backbone of crushed rock and sea salt minerality. Fragrant white flowers including jasmine and alyssum add a perfumed thread, and the core notes of crunchy star fruit, pear and lemon curd are equally juicy and precise.” — Wine Spectator, 94 pts. (Vintage 2024).

• Producer: Peter Michael Winery, Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Accolades: #13 Top 100 Wines of the USA, 2025
• Tasting Notes: Citrus peel, jasmine, oyster shell, passionfruit, tangerine, raw honey, melon, lemon curd, stony minerality, long salty finish
• Best Paired With: Dungeness crab, butter-poached lobster, scallops, turbot, whole roasted chicken, aged Comté

California’s most celebrated single-vineyard Chardonnay — Peter Michael La Carrière 2024 is a wine of extraordinary minerality, tension, and precision that belongs in any serious cellar.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The colour is a beautiful pale gold with green highlights. The nose is floral and elegant, with hints of ibiscus and pleasant apricot. The palate is rich and smooth, with aromas of creamy caramel and a magnificent mineral and saline finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Vinous 94 Points | The 2022 Chardonnay Alta Historic Rows originates from Gualtallary and Villa Bastías, Uco Valley vineyards. It was aged up to 14 months in a combination of new and used barrels. Yellow in hue with a golden sheen. The floral nose presents appealing green apple, cedar, and nut aromas with hints of fennel and quince in the background. On the palate, it has a creamy, chalky texture and tart acidity resulting in a taut, refreshing mouthfeel. A well-crafted Chardonnay that sums up the advantages of high-altitude vineyards. 

James Suckling 94 Points |  Pie crust, smoked pineapple, lemon curd and zesty citrus on the palate. Medium-bodied, showing fresh, creamy fruit and a lengthy finish. Drink or hold.

Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc Biodynamic 2022 · Burgundy, France

Winemaker Description

The Bourgogne Blanc from Domaine Leflaive has the particularity to only come from vineyards located in the town of Puligny, making it easily one of the best Bourgogne Blanc you could get your hands on. This is the perfect first step into the Domaine Leflaive’s unique offerings. All vineyards are farmed biodynamically.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Is a relatively refined texture while displaying fine depth and length for a wine of this level. The 20% addition of young vines from upper-level vineyards clearly helps and overall, this is excellent.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Bourgogne, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White
• Farming: Organic, Biodynamic