CALIFORNIA

CHARDONNAY

97 Massican 2019 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay (Napa Valley). For full review see page 92. Editors’ Choice.

abv: 13.4% Price: $50

95 Black Kite 2017 Gap’s Crown Chardonnay (Petaluma Gap). Richly layered, complex and expressive, this vineyard-designate is beautifully spiced in nutmeg and clove. Floral aromatics add to the intrigue and invitation, with an intensity of oak adding weight and texture to a balanced frame of structure and elegance. —V.B.

abv: 13.8% Price: $62

95 Joseph Phelps 2018 Freestone Vineyards Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast). From estate-grown grapes, this impressively layered, complex and cool-climate characteristic white is layered in gravelly texture and crushed rock. Briny ocean influence coats a crisp core of green apple and Meyer lemon, leading to a complete finish. —V.B.

abv: 13.5% Price: $60

94 Cobb 2017 Doc’s Ranch JoAnn’s Block Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast). Steely, lifted and floral, in keeping with the style of winemaker Ross Cobb, this wine offers a persistence of stone and lemon peel within a framework of focused acidity. An underlying unctuousness of green apple and white peach complement and adds complexity. —V.B.

abv: 13.2% Price: $70

This is an outstanding appellation wine, made in larger quantities at a remarkably fair price. Grapes come from throughout the diverse valley and the wine barrel fermented and given nine months to rest. Full bodied, layered and widely appealing, it shows a density of peach, pear, baking spice and sweet oak, all of the components coming together seamlessly at the end.. —V.B.