About Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a white skinned grape originating from the Burgundy region of France. Generally used to produce sparkling and dry white wines, this grape is grown throughout the world and is one of the more widley planted varietals. Chardonnay may be finished in stainless steel or oak, with the later providing the classic creamy, buttery and vanilla aromas and flavors commonly associated with the vareital.

Top Picks for Chardonnay

Mira Winery 2019 Napa Valley Chardonnay
94 points
$50
Beautiful fruit, light oak that is well in balance with potential for some cellar age and improvement with secondary characteristics; exactly what you want for benchmark Napa Chardonnay.
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2021 Estate Chardonnay
94 points
$18
Best Buy
Light and crisp with pleasing aromas of green apple, citrus, and creme fraiche; this is a stellar domestic version in line with a Village Chablis.
94 points $18 Best Buy
Jarvis 2021 Finch Hollow Chardonnay
94 points
$195
With a harmonious balance of fruit, floral, malo, and barrel, this is excellent now and will likely become something special in 5 to 10 years.
Jarvis 2021 Unfiltered Finch Hollow Chardonnay
94 points
$215
A special wine that will benefit with age and it would be fun to taste this side by side with some white Burgundy, particularly Corton Charlemagne and Chassagne Montrachet to see where it stacks up.
Gooseneck Vineyards 2022  Chardonnay
94 points
$18
Best Buy
A pleasant Chardonnay with good fruit and structure balanced by just the right amount of aromatic lift from the Viognier.
94 points $18 Best Buy
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2021 Expedition Chardonnay
94 points
$15
Best Buy
A delightfully balanced and elegant Chardonnay that will be quite versatile, balancing New World tropical fruit and Old World acidity.
94 points $15 Best Buy
St. Andrews 2023  Chardonnay
93 points
$32
An alternative for Village level Chablis that has seen light battonage and barrel-aging.
Montsablé 2022  Chardonnay
93 points
$19
Best Buy
A clean, complex, and well balanced example of French Chardonnay that holds your interest glass after glass.
93 points $19 Best Buy
Davis Family Vineyards 2021  Chardonnay
93 points
$40
Rich, smooth, and decadent with enough acid to pair with foods; try with lobster or King Crab.
Jip Jip Rocks 2023 Single Vineyard Chardonnay
93 points
$16
Best Buy
A vibrant and refreshing Chardonnay with very light oak for balance and the wide spectrum of fruit flavors at play.
93 points $16 Best Buy