CHARDONNAY
96 Peake Ranch 2020 Peake Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills). Very lean and focused on the nose, this brilliant bottling shows lemon peel, shiso leaf and sea salt on the nose, with the slightest hint of delicate cream. The mineral focus to the palate is tremendous, as the crushed chalk tension holds firm from start to finish, allowing flavors of lychee and lemon zest to shine. —M.K.
abv: 14% Price: $55
95 Au Bon Climat 2019 Nuits-Blanche au Bouge Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley). For full review see page 109.
abv: 13.5% Price: $40
95 Clendenen Family 2018 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley). This bottling begins with a mellow touch, and then opens in more toasty ways, showing judicious levels of butterscotch, lemon confit, hazelnut and oak on the nose. Zippy acidity and savory salinity slice through the palate, contrasting the richer waves of toasted nuts, baked lemon, seared peach and white chocolate. —M.K.
abv: 13.5% Price: $50
95 Solomon Hills Estate 2020 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley). There’s an impressive amount of white-rock minerality to the nose of this bottling, where chalk aromas surround the Asian pear, white lemon and lychee character of the nose. That chalky tension and flavor run through the palate, giving a steady edge to the lime blossom, lemon balm and underripe pineapple flavors. —M.K.
abv: 13.5% Price: $45
95 Solomon Hills Estate 2020 Belle of the Ball Reserve Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley). There’s a fascinating sense of chalk, lemon curd and light-yellow pear on the expertly crafted nose of this top-shelf bottling from this esteemed estate. Pear flesh and bright lemon flavors ride a sharp acidity on the sip, but it’s that granular, grippy structure that takes this to the next level. —M.K.
abv: 14% Price: $100
94 Armida 2019 Gap’s Crown Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast). For full review see page 111.
abv: 13.6% Price: $55
94 Benovia 2020 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley). For full review see page 111. Editors’ Choice.
abv: 14.1% Price: $45
94 Castello di Amorosa 2020 Reserve Chardonnay (Napa Valley). For full review see page 111.
abv: 14.6% Price: $59
94 Clendenen Family 2018 Le Bon Climat Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley). There’s no shying away from this bottling’s nutty aromas—from hazelnut to pecan to toasty oak—but there’s also inviting butterscotch and seared-lemon notes as well. Those warm aspects are cut by a tense, acid-driven structure on the palate, where citrus slices through the caramel, salt and browned butter flavors. The hint of herb makes it a perfect pairing with roast chicken. —M.K.
abv: 13.5% Price: $50
94 Donnachadh 2020 Estate Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills). Brisk and chalky aromas of almond, lychee and honey make for a compelling nose on this bottling from this newer and impressive estate. A bright sizzle of acidity slices right through the sip, as honeyed almond, pear flesh and lime rind flavors ride a chalky texture into the finish. —M.K.
abv: 13% Price: $65
93 Au Bon Climat 2020 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley). Meyer lemon aromas meet toasted nuts and wood spice on the focused nose of this bottling. The palate is tightly woven, offering blanched almond, crushed rock and white-flower flavors. —M.K.
abv: 13.5% Price: $35
93 Donnachadh 2021 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills). For full review see page 114. Editors’ Choice.
abv: 13% Price: $40
93 Falcone 2021 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley). Broad aromas of peach and honeysuckle manage to stay focused and precise on the nose of this bottling from 22-year-old vines at Bien Nacido Vineyard. There’s a chalky, alkaline edge to the palate that frames the more generous white flower, coconut and peach flavors. —M.K.
abv: 14.2% Price: $30
Tightly alkaline aromas of chalk and lime pith meet with crushed sandstone and a hint of citrus on the nose of this
