White Wine

Winemaker Description 

Aged for 10 months in new French oak and neutral barrels, this rich and lush wine displays Notes of lemon custard and honeyed apple blossoms, with a touch of warm vanilla butter cookies. Vibrant and expressive palate, rich, full mouthfeel, with a luxurious finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Burghound Allen Meadows writes 89-92 Points | A cool, pure and airy nose features aromas of Granny Smith apple, citrus rind and an appealing floral top note. There is both good volume and a lovely texture to the generously proportioned and stony middleweight flavors that exude a refreshing salinity on the balanced, long and complex finale. This is an excellent Puligny villages, indeed Jobard rarely misses with it.

Domaine Antoine Jobard · Meursault · 2024

Antoine Jobard crafts his Meursault from meticulously tended parcels in one of Burgundy's most prized white wine villages, adhering to a hands-off, terroir-first approach in both vineyard and cellar. The 2024 village Meursault is an excellent expression of the appellation's hallmark richness and minerality.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2024 (Barrel Sample)

Allen Meadows, Burghound, 89-92 Points — A very Meursault nose of white fleshed fruit, acacia blossom, hazelnut and a whiff of citrus character introduces rich and seductively textured medium weight flavors that flash a lovely minerality that adds a sense of lift to the bitter lemon-tined finale. This is also an excellent villages and worth considering.

Jasper Morris, 90-92 Points — Mid lemon and lime. The bouquet is not overtly weighty. The hillside vineyards and those below complement each other. There is certainly excellent energy beneath here a fine thread to freshen the weight of white orchard fruit. Impeccable village Meursault.

Specs

• Producer: Domaine Antoine Jobard
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Meursault, Burgundy, France
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml

Expert Reviews

Allen Meadows Burghound 91-93 Points | Here too the nose is quite fresh with its combination of apple, white flowers and just sliced citrus, especially lemon. There is both excellent punch and a lovely texture though only average density to the lingering and balanced finish where a touch of youthful austerity slowly emerges. While this could be enjoyed young, it has apparent development potential so at least a few years of keeping are recommended. (2022). 

Vinous 93-94 Points | The 2022 Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru had a lot of reduction when I tasted it from barrel though its intensity was clear. The palate is very promising: wonderful tension here steely and spicier than the Meursault Village with touches of fennel and white pepper on the finish. Quite feisty and surely one for long-term aging. (Drink between 2026-2048).

Winemaker Description

Bruno Clair set up an eponymous estate in France established in 1979 with vineyard holdings spread all over the area.  Half of the vines are a century old. Bruno Clair, a true vigneron, has the expertise needed to reinvent this area better than anyone and his Marsannay wines are very elegant and long-lasting. His respect for the terroir and the stylistic precision of his wines makes him one of the best producers in Burgundy.

This textbook En la Rue de Vergy is one of the rare white wines of the Côte de Nuits. It is complex, perfectly balanced, and well-structured with very clean tannins and crisp acidity and a long finish. The intense, rich palette presents lemon, grapefruit, oak, vanilla, yellow apple, almonds, and white melon flavors with herbal, floral, and mineral nuances. It's a nice accompaniment to paella.

Peter Michael · Chardonnay Belle Côte · Knights Valley · 2024

As the oldest of the four Peter Michael Winery estate Chardonnay blocks, Belle Côte exemplifies the consistent quality of Chardonnay these mountain vineyards produce. Thanks to the naturally cool climate of the site's high elevation, mitigation of exposure to the hot afternoon sun from its southeastern exposure, and a stand of trees on the western border, the vines are allowed to ripen slowly. The growing season for Belle Côte typically extends into October, two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2024

Jeb Dunnuck, 97 Points — A shade deeper yellow with haze, the 2024 Chardonnay Belle-Côte comes from the oldest 1990 plantings that Helen Turley planted and is the last to finish, from an east-facing gradual slope. The nose of this wine packs in so much intensity and focused energy. Full-bodied, it has oily citrus tension, wet stones, and fabulously structured grip, with almost tannin-like structure adding to the body and acidity. Orange blossom and sherbet tones shine alongside tropical hues and savory almond nuances. It's layered and complex.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94–96 Points — I tasted the 2024 Chardonnay Belle Côte from tank just before it was due to be bottled. It comes from the oldest Chardonnay vines at Peter Michael's Knights Valley Ranch, planted in 1990. Its aromas blossom slowly, segueing from flint and hazelnut to vanilla, panna cotta, papaya and elderflower perfume. The full-bodied palate has a silky texture and pure, expressive flavors, and its new oak is already very well integrated. It's balanced by bright acidity and has a long, nuanced finish.

Vinous, 94 Points — The 2024 Chardonnay Belle Côte is a very pretty mid-weight offering from Peter Michael. It offers up scents of apricot, peach, orange blossom, white flowers and a kiss of French oak. Bright mineral undertones lend energy as they shape the mid-palate and finish. The Belle Côte is the most delicate and ethereal of the Peter Michael Chardonnays. Even so, I would give it a few years in bottle.

Wine Spectator, 94 Points — Elegant and succulent, showcasing ripe melon, nectarine and apricot flavors that are fleshy and juicy on a light, silky frame. Details of wildflower honey, lemon confit and spices including cardamom, nutmeg and white pepper add complexity, as do notes of lemon verbena, lime leaf and sweetgrass. Drink now through 2039.

Specs

• Producer: Peter Michael Winery
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Vineyard: Belle Côte (planted 1990)
• Size: 750ml

Domaine Vincent & Sophie Morey · Santenay Blanc Les Hates · 2023

Domaine Vincent & Sophie Morey Santenay Blanc Les Hates 2023 is a Chardonnay from Santenay in Burgundy, France. This 750ml bottle brings together the work of two winegrowers whose family roots lie in Santenay and Chassagne-Montrachet, and whose shared domaine began with its first harvest in 2007.

Producer & Vineyard Philosophy

Sophie and Vincent established their domaine in 2006 after years of experience in their respective family estates. Their approach starts in the vineyard: careful attention to the grapes, close observation and a willingness to adapt to each vintage. The producer describes tending the vineyards as if they were gardens.

Winemaker Description

Sophie and Vincent Morey both come from families of winegrowers in Santenay and Chassagne-Montrachet respectively. After studies at Beaune’s Lycée Viticole and work experience in St-Emilion in the Bordeaux region, Vincent rejoined the family domaine led by his father Bernard Morey in 1986.

In the same year Sophie was vinifying her first vintage for the Ménager-Belland domaine in Santenay where she had inherited the tradition of winemaking from her mother. Finally, in 2006 Sophie and Vincent set up their own domaine and had their first harvest in 2007.

Treating their vineyards as if they were gardens, Sophie and Vincent agree that fine wines start with good grapes, require attention to detail, and demand the winegrower and winemaker to be adaptable vintage after vintage.

Food Pairing Suggestions

For the table, try this white Burgundy with roast chicken, pan-seared fish, a mushroom tart or a mild cheese plate.

Details

• Producer: Domaine Vincent & Sophie Morey
• Wine: Santenay Blanc Les Hates
• Vintage: 2023
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Santenay
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Type: White wine
• Vineyard Approach: Attentive vineyard care and adaptation to each vintage, as described by the producer

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Charles Curtis, MW of Decanter Magazine 96 Points | In 2021 the domaine protected this site above all from frost but still lost half their crop despite being surrounded by the also well-protected vines of Domaine Leflaive. Accessible almost even now the aromas of green apple and passionfruit coconut butter and baking spice are almost opening even now. There is a lovely freshness and silky texture yet this is a powerful wine with impressive length and density at the end. This should open in five years and continue to improve for at least twenty-five more. (Drink between 2027-2050).

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Wine Spectator 97 Points | This is distinctly floral, with peach, lime blossom, citronella and mineral aromas and flavors. Sleek and elegant, offering intensity through the lingering aftertaste of lemon and orchard fruits. Shows terrific length and harmony. Best from 2026 through 2036. 30 cases imported.

Winemaker Description

The wine is rich in mineral and citrus flavors and reminds us of what great white Burgundy tastes like!

The high-altitude, north-facing Scopus Vineyard harnesses a blend of lush California flavor tempered with cool-climate structure hanging on firm acidity and moderate body. Stone fruit, citrus and spice come to mind on the palate, all marked by the vineyard’s classic mineral core. There’s a modest hint of toasty oak framing the ensemble, which ends long and fresh. 

Kosher for Passover

Expert Review - Prior Vintage 2022

93 points Wine & Spirits | 2022 marks the fourteenth vintage for Covenant® Chardonnay Lavan®. The wine is made from grapes grown in a small vineyard on Sonoma Mountain. Jeff began working with this vineyard -- called Scopus -- back in 2010, when he made some Chardonnay for the vineyard's owners. He liked the wine so much, that he decided to make Scopus Vineyard the core of our Lavan® program the next year.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

Decanter 94 Points | This wine is fermented in cask and given a 15-month maturation without racking. The result is marvelously creamy and rich, yet there is an expressive lemony fruit, a pleasant floral note, and despite the weight, there is plenty of acidity. A fabulous starting point for the range. Enjoy now, but a few years of age will only reveal more nuance. A serious Bourgogne Blanc. Produced from parcels surrounding the domaine, including the lieu-dit Les Magny; the total surface area is 1.5ha.

Kendall-Jackson · Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay · California 2023

This 2023 California Chardonnay from Kendall-Jackson’s Vintner’s Reserve is offered in a 375ml half bottle.

The smaller format suits a modest pour, a tasting alongside other wines, or a table where a full bottle is more than you need.

• Producer: Kendall-Jackson
• Collection: Vintner’s Reserve
• Vintage: 2023
• Region: California, USA
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Size: 375ml half bottle

A California Chardonnay in a compact format for a smaller pour.

Frey Vineyards Mendocino Chardonnay Organic 2023 — Mendocino County, California

Frey Vineyards is a true American original. Founded in 1980 in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, Frey became the first certified organic winery in the United States — and has remained one of the country’s most committed producers of organic and biodynamic wine ever since. Their wines are made with no added sulfites (NSA), no synthetic pesticides, and no chemical additives, offering a pure, unmanipulated expression of the grape and the land.

This Mendocino Chardonnay is fermented in stainless steel with minimal oak exposure, preserving the grape’s natural freshness and fruit character. The result is bright and approachable: hints of apple, pear, and a touch of caramel on the nose and palate, with clean acidity and a light, refreshing finish. No sulfites added — ideal for those with sulfite sensitivities or anyone seeking a cleaner, more natural wine experience.

America’s first certified organic winery. No sulfites added. Pure Mendocino Chardonnay.

• Producer: Frey Vineyards, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, California (est. 1980)
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Mendocino County
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Farming: Certified Organic, Biodynamic
• Sulfites: No Sulfites Added (NSA)
• Vegan: Yes
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Apple, pear, caramel, light acidity, clean refreshing finish
• Best Paired With: Pumpkin risotto, honey-glazed carrots, scalloped potatoes, grilled fish, light pasta, fresh goat cheese

Organic, honest, and genuinely delicious — Frey Chardonnay is the benchmark for clean California white wine.

Knudsen Vineyards · Chardonnay · Dundee Hills · 2017

A generous Oregon Chardonnay with floral aromatics, orchard fruit, and a gentle touch of oak. The producer’s notes for the 2017 bottling describe a bright, smooth mouthfeel, balanced acidity, and a long finish.

Wine & Place

Knudsen Vineyards’ 2017 Chardonnay is listed from the Dundee Hills in Oregon. Its combination of rounded texture and freshness makes it an inviting choice for a leisurely dinner, especially alongside seafood or roast poultry.

Tasting Notes

The winemaker describes a light yellow color verging on gold, with honeysuckle, caramel, pear, pineapple, and vanilla on the nose. The palate is generous and smooth, with balanced acidity and just a hint of oak. These are the producer’s supplied vintage notes, rather than a new assessment of the wine’s current development.

Winemaker Description

Knudsen Vineyards | Our 2017 Chardonnay is stunning. The color is a beautiful light yellow, verging on gold. In the glass, the wine presents a full and complex aroma with distinct hints of honeysuckle, caramel, pear, pineapple, and vanilla. The mouthfeel is generous, bright and smooth, displaying balanced acidity and just a hint of oak. A long finish encourages another taste.

Pairing & Serving Suggestions

Try with roast chicken, seared scallops, halibut with lemon butter, or a mushroom tart. Serve chilled, allowing a little time in the glass for the aromatics to open.

Wine Details

• Producer: Knudsen Vineyards
• Vintage: 2017
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Appellation: Dundee Hills, Oregon
• Country: United States
• Bottle size: 750ml

A Dundee Hills Chardonnay built around generous texture, fragrant fruit, and balanced freshness.

Expert Review - Vintage 2017

Vinous 93 Points | The 2017 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, which is as usual, an exchange with Jean-Michel Chartron, has a crisp and precise bouquet with touches of yellow flower and crushed stone complementing the citrus fruit. The palate is very well balanced with beautifully integrated oak (one-year old rather than new), leading to a precise, almost Meursault-like finish. Superb. 

Winemaker Description 

It has a very detailed, slightly flinty, perhaps reserved bouquet that opens reluctantly in the glass. The palate is taut on the entry, hints of white chocolate infusing the citrus fruit, nicely balanced with a harmonious and elegant finish. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Burghound 94 points | There is just enough wood and menthol elements present to be worth noting surrounding the citrusy apple, pear and exotic tea-scented nose. The bigger, richer and more sophisticated medium weight plus flavors possess evident power as well as a lovely sappiness that coats the palate on the delicious, highly complex and strikingly long finale. Like the Bâtard, this beauty is built for the long haul though it could actually be approachable after only 7 to 8 years. In brief, this is extremely promising. 

Hagafen Chardonnay: A Taste of Excellence

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. The Chardonnay grapes for this wine were grown in the fog-cooled Napa Valley in order to produce a wine rich in flavor and varietal character, complemented by aging in small oak barrels.

Don Ernesto has done it again. Our newest vintage of Chardonnay is Mary Poppins. Why Mary Poppins you ask. Well, it is “practically perfect in every way”! From the beautiful soft golden hue, to the rich round mouth, to the long finish, this Chardonnay is what you need to “help the medicine go down in the most delightful way”.

Starting with the nose, we find beautiful soft vanilla, ripe Asian pear and crisp Galia and Honeydew melon. Continuing onto the palate we discover lush star fruit and rich lemon curd. With its lingering finish our Chardonnay will make you want to “go fly a kite”!"  

Memo Summary Notes

The 2022 Hagafen Carneros Chardonnay is a well-regarded California white wine that balances the richness of Napa Valley fruit with the crisp acidity typical of the cooler Carneros region.

Because of its balanced acidity and moderate oak, this Chardonnay pairs exceptionally well with:

• Roasted chicken or turkey with herbs.

• Rich seafood like boiled lobster or pan-seared scallops.

• Creamy pasta dishes or soft cheeses (like Brie or Camembert).

Introducing Hagafen Chardonnay

The Hagafen Carneros Chardonnay 2022 is an exceptional kosher wine that has gained popularity among wine enthusiasts. This delightful white wine perfectly combines the richness of the Carneros region with the meticulous craftsmanship of Hagafen Cellars. With a balanced acidity and well-rounded mouthfeel, each sip delivers a symphony of flavors. Whether you are enjoying a quiet evening or hosting friends, this Chardonnay is a sophisticated choice for any occasion.

Flavor Profile and Food Pairing

The Hagafen Chardonnay showcases bright notes of citrus, green apple, and subtle hints of oak. However, its refreshing acidity makes it perfect to pair with various dishes, especially seafood and poultry. It complements grilled salmon beautifully, enhancing the dish’s flavors. Additionally, it goes well with creamy pasta dishes or a simple cheese platter, making it versatile for any meal.