QRW | Spring 2008 | Best of The Best: California Chardonnay

More QRW Spring 2008 feature articles:

Guessing Game/Clive Coates, M.W.

Barbaresco’s Big Party/Tom Maresca

Best of The Best: California Bubbly

Best of The Best: California Pinot Noir

Savory Sauvignon Blanc/QRW Staff

Wining and Dining: Provence/Edward and Mireille Guiliano

Sweet Dreams/Elisabeth Townsend

Chocolate Pistachio Semifreddo/Judy Mattera

Dark Victory/QRW Staff

Our Favorite 18-Year-Old Malts/QRW Staff

Best 12- and 15-Year-Old Single Malts/QRW Staff

Dernier Cri: A Glass of Whine/Randy Sheahan

Best of The Best (Part I)

California Chardonnay

These 15 current releases, mostly 2005s,
are delicious and then some.

QRW Tasting Team

Chardonnay performs best in temperate climes, where it can ripen slowly and achieve a proper balance of fruit and acidity. This was certainly borne out by QRW’s recent assay of currently available California Chardonnays. All but two of the wines recommended below come from cooler reaches, namely northern Sonoma (e.g., Russian River Valley), southern Napa (e.g., Carneros) and Santa Barbara County (e.g., Santa Maria Valley and Sta Rita Hills).

Five-Star California Chardonnays

Wines of extraordinary character and quality —
in a class by themselves

BEST OF SHOW

2005 Foley Chardonnay “Rancho Santa Rosa”
(Sta Rita Hills), $30.
Deep, dense, well-concentrated, nougat, toast, pear and citrus flavors.

2005 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay “Fiorella” (Russian River Valley), $36. Deep, rich, ultra-nutty, pear and lemon-curd flavors.

2003 Gallo Family Vineyards Chardonnay “Reserve” (Northern Sonoma), $50. Big, rich, whalloping, nougat, toasted nut and lemon-curd flavors.

2005 Lynmar Chardonnay "Quail Hill Vineyard"

2005 Lynmar Chardonnay “Quail Hill Vineyard” (Russian River Valley), $40. Rich, concentrated, elegantly knit, toasted nut, toffee and lemon-curd flavors.

2005 Lynmar Chardonnay "Sereinite"

2005 Lynmar Chardonnay “Sereinité” (Russian River Valley), $30. Lush, elegant, well-knit, pear, cream and toasted nut flavors.

2005 Mer Soleil Chardonnay

2005 Mer Soleil Chardonnay (Central Coast), $42. Rich, ripe, succulent, never-say-die, tropical fruit flavors.

2004 Merryvale Chardonnay "Silhouette"

2004 Merryvale Chardonnay “Silhouette” (Napa Valley), $48. Rich, concentrated, well-knit, spiced pear and toasted nut flavors.

2006 Scott Family Estate Chardonnay (Arroyo Seco, Monterey County), $20. Rich aromas and plush texture,with spice, melon, pear, and opulent toast flavors. BEST VALUE

2004 Vine Cliff Chardonnay “Proprietress Reserve” (Los Carneros), $34. Big, rich, well-concentrated, almond, pear and lemon-curd flavors.

Four-Star California Chardonnays

Wines of excellent character and quality —
benchmarks of their type

2005 Camelot Highlands Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley), $25. Deep, penetrating, well-focused, pear, toast and citrus flavors.

2005 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay “Dominique” (Russian River Valley), $38. Lush, creamy, well-knit, butterscotch and citrus flavors.

2005 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay “Tre Terre” (Russian River Valley), $34. Big, rich, bold, nutty flavors buoyed by good, crisp acidity.

2004 Gallo Family Vineyards Chardonnay “Laguna Vineyard” (Russian River Valley), $24. Rich, ripe, well-concentrated, hazelnut and citrus flavors.

2005 Patz & Hall Chardonnay “Zio Tony Ranch” (Russian River Valley), $55. Ripe, elegant, subtly knit, pear, toasted nut and lemon flavors.

2005 Raymond Chardonnay “Reserve” (Napa Valley), $20. Lush, elegant, well-knit, pear, toast and nougat flavors. BEST VALUE