Natura Un-Oaked Chardonnay Bio-Bio 2016
Brilliant, light yellow color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of citrus zest, kumquat, and pineapple with supporting notes of slate and grapefruit. The palate confirms the nose delivering a citrus-driven core with flavors of orange peel. The finish is crisp with a gently trailing note of green apple and citrus. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $11.99 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Run Riot Chardonnay Central Coast 2015
Brilliant, golden straw color. The nose reveals a big and buttery Chardonnay with a generous note of lees harmonizing with ripe peach, lychee, and tropical fruits. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a rich and chewy fruit and brown butter core with flanking notes of tropical fruits, lemon curd, and brioche. This is a big Chardonnay with fat butter and fruit notes foiled by a bright dose of citrus and firm lees accent. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $16.99 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros 2014
Brilliant pale, golden straw color. The nose is filled with the scents of spring flowers, white peach, and ripe tropical fruits with bold accents of vanilla and lychee with hints of blanched almonds and soft washed rind cheese. The palate echoes the nose with a stone fruit core flanked by vanilla soaked oak with citrus notes rising on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with a rich, semi-chewy core and bright acidity at the edges. $35 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Scott Dijon Clone Chardonnay Arroyo Seco/Monterey 2014
Brilliant pale straw color. The nose is filled with scents of orchard fruits with a soft lees note and a delicate waves of hazelnut, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush fruit core with accents of lemon curd and roasted nuts. Medium-bodied with silky fruit and barrel notes. $18 – 4 Stars – 90 points
MacPhail Vine Hill Road Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2014
Brilliant, golden straw color. The nose is wonderfully complex marrying white flowers with toasted yeast bread, lychee, lemon and vanilla cream, and white peach with accents of charred oak and butterscotch. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright, fruit-driven core with generous flanks of oak, lees, and vanilla bean with vibrant citrus notes rising on the finish. Full-bodied with a rich, ripe fruit heart with loads of butterscotch and oak in support. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $45 – 4 Stars – 91 points
HobNob Wicked Chardonnay Central Coast 2014
Briliant golden color. The nose is filled with the scents of pear and green apple with supporting notes of honeysuckle, blanched almonds, and hints of lychee. The palates echoes the nose delivering a fruit-focused core with accents of oak and mineral and a gently trailing dry finish. Medium-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright dose of fresh citrus-like acidity. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $11.99 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Robert Oatley Chardonnay Margaret River 2014
Pale straw color. The nose is aromatic and quite pleasing with scents of white peach, lychee, and tropical fruits with accents of mineral and vanilla. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose revealing an ultra-balanced wine with vibrancy and bright citrus-like acidity. Medium-bodied with fresh, crisp acidity giving it perfect balance. $17 – 3.5 Stars – 89 points
Donati Family Vineyard Sisters Forever, Unoaked Chardonnay Central Coast 2013
Pale straw color. The aromatics are unexcpected, focused more on tropical fruits rather than orchard fruits with rich, sweet scents of pineapple, mango, star fruit, and hints of lychee. The palate confirms the nose - soft Medium-boded with succulent fruit with fresh acidtiy and delicate mineral notes. $16 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Bogle Chardonnay California 2013
Pale golden straw color with brilliant clarity. The nose reveals a classic New World Chardonnay with ripe white peach, apple, and tropical fruits in the lead supported by barrel notes emerging as well as vanilla bean, butterscotch, lemon curd, and nutmeg. The palate echoes the nose delivering waves of orchard and tropical fruits with a big does of oak, vanilla, and toasted coconut. This is a pretty intense Chardonnay without being heavy or cloying in any way offering a bright dose of acidity. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $10 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Force of Nature Murmur Vineyard Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley 2013
Brilliant pale golden color with moderate viscosity evident. The nose is filled with the scents of wild, spring flowers, orange zest, ripe white peach, subtle tropical fruit tones, and lemon curd. The palate is is full accord with the nose delivering lush, ripe orchard and tropical fruits with subtle mineral and citrus zest notes to keep it vibrant. This is a fairly intense Chardonnay with an explosive fruit core with a silky viscosity from entry to finish. Made with 100% Chardonnay. $22.50 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
