CHARDONNAY
99 Tor 2021 Cuvée Susan Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros). This quietly lavish wine made in a tiny quantity is one to take time with and savor among good friends. Finely detailed aromas of poached pears, vanilla and butter lead to a palate impression that’s quiet at first and then builds into layers of marzipan, golden apples, butter and macadamia nuts. Everything is backed by subtle, silky acidity that keeps it fresh through a long, lingering finish. Best through 2035. Cellar Selection. —J.G.
abv: 14.8% Price: $95
97 Rhys 2021 Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains). The texture and length on this bottling, and the fact that it retains as much many days after being opened, is jaw-dropping. The nose begins with soft yet alluring butter, nut, apricot and wet rock aromas. Then the ethereally chalky sip adds crisp stonefruit and apple, wrapped in a lemony acidity that repeatedly engages every part of the palate. —M.K.
abv: 12.8% Price: $125
96 Sandar & Hem 2021 Mountain Winery Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains). Very light in the glass, this epic bottling combines brisk and joyful aromas of lime sorbet with the most delicate touch of toasted pastry on the nose. This winery is a master at texture, in this case employing a chalky grip and a tongue-titillating acidity to frame citrus, blanched almond and light spice flavors. —M.K.
abv: 14% Price: $52
95 Rhys 2021 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains). The textural component to this wine, and all of those from Rhys, is worth the price alone. The nose starts with aromas of lemon curd, baked orange and a light nutty tone before the palate’s chalky texture engages the entire mouth as citrus flavors abound. Editors’ Choice. —M.K.
abv: 13.3% Price: $48
95 Samsara 2021 Radian Vineyard Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills). Very clean and light aromas of pear and sea salt meet with a damp earth tone on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. The palate fascinates with an acidity that builds to a sizzling point by the finish after driving through flavors of lemon, apricot and more sea salt. —M.K.
abv: 13.8% Price: $69
Extremely tightly woven on the nose, this bottling from a mountaintop vineyard smells of jicama, melon
