Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)

The 2022 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) is airy and lifted. Lemon peel, jasmine, white pepper and a hint of spice all meld together. The 2022 is soft and open-knit, so it will drink well upon release. It's a classy and affordable introduction to the range.

The Sainte Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2020 from Washington State’s prestigious Columbia Valley is an elegant and nuanced expression of the Chardonnay grape. Graced with a brilliant golden hue, this sophisticated wine is crafted by the acclaimed Sainte Michelle winery, known for their tradition of viticultural excellence and pioneering spirit. Aged in French oak barrels, it offers layered notes of apple, pear, and tropical fruits ensnared in a creamy texture, rounded out by a trace of toasty vanilla.

The wine exhibits a graceful balance of acidity and fruit reminiscent of Old World Chardonnays, embodying the finest aspects of both innovative and traditional wine-making techniques. The meticulous attention to vineyard selection and fermentation process ensures the impeccable quality of the Sainte Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2020 and rich, complex character. A white wine of unwavering quality, it serves as an impressive pairing for your distinguished palate or gourmet fare.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Very dense yet gently rendered fruit - has an effortless force to the palate. Pretty closed and clenched right now, but definitely has the substance of future greatness.

Expertly crafted by the esteemed Sanford Winery, the Sanford La Rinconada Chardonnay 2020 is a distinctive delight for lovers of fine wines. Sourced from the esteemed La Rinconada Vineyard in the heart of California's Santa Rita Hills, known for its cool climate that imparts a perfect balance of acidity. This captivating wine boasts 100% Chardonnay grapes, fermented in French Oak barrels, contributing to its delightful depth.

Evolving on the palette, Sanford La Rinconada Chardonnay 2020 delivers distinctive notes of stone fruit and citrus coupled with a subtle hint of vanilla. Further complexity is bestowed through the atmospheric aging, presenting a lingering minerality that is uniquely characteristic of this singular terroir.

Sanford Winery, renowned for their exemplary wines since 1971, utilise sustainable farming techniques to yield exemplary vintages year after year. An exquisite exemplar of their dedication, Sanford La Rinconada Chardonnay 2020 is a superb addition to discerning cellars and the perfect accompaniment to a range of gastronomic delights.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2017 Sauvignon Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, coming from a small section of estate vines closer to the Napa river. It is entirely fermented in French oak, but only about 5% is new. The grapes are pressed straight to barrels and kept on their gross lees. The wine is fermented using native yeasts. This vintage, the nose is not at all shy—it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant scents of ripe peaches, passion fruit and musk perfume plus wafts of honeycomb, elderflower, ripe gooseberries and lemongrass with a waft of Bosc pears. The palate is super intense and yet ethereally weighted, light-bodied and oh-so-fine, elegant and refreshing, featuring a whole array of chalk and sea spray sparks, creating a shimmer to all the many citrus and stone fruit layers, finishing with great length and energy. There is a truly interesting phenolic texture to the palate that reminds me of some Chardonnays, particularly Burgundian examples. Winemaker Nick Gislason commented that the gross lees contain a lot of phenolic content, which is where the wine picks up that textural component. Love it!

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

I've always loved the Chardonnay from this team, and their 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch has that classic richer, full-bodied style while staying balanced and light on its feet. Buttered lemons, tangerines, green almond, and toasty notes all make an appearance, and it's incredibly textured, with nicely integrated acidity and one heck of a finish. This powerful Chardonnay is going to impress right out of the gate.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Starting with the white, the 2019 Distenta I White is pure perfection, and there's not a finer white coming out of California today. Coming from a final blend of 41% Roussanne, 26% Chardonnay, 14% Petit Manseng, 12% Viognier, and the rest Gelber Muskateller, it spent 23 months in 64% new French oak. It offers a heavenly bouquet of caramelized oranges, toasted bread, honeyed citrus, and almond paste. This carries to a full-bodied, deep, concentrated white with incredible intensity and depth, yet it’s never heavy or overbearing and is flawlessly balanced. These have a great track record of aging brilliantly, but you can’t go wrong drinking them in their youth, either. I know Krankl’s reds get all the attention, but he continues to produce brilliant, brilliant dry whites. There were 824 cases produced.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

With 4% Sémillon, this bi-county white impresses in grapefruit, pea shoot and peach, with a hint of candied ginger on the back of the palate. Consistent acidity refreshes and adds complexity and refinement to the proceedings, with just a hint of oak.

Vinous (95)

The 2019 Chardonnay Estate is superb. Deep and beautifully layered, the 2019 offers up a striking mélange of tangerine peel, passion fruit, pineapple, white flowers and a kiss of French oak, all kicked up in a racy, voluptuous Chardonnay that is immensely captivating. Even with all of its intensity, the 2019 retains gorgeous freshness and tons of nuance. Once again, the Chardonnay is beautifully done.

Wine Advocate (97+)

The 2016 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard comes from the oldest vines on the estate, planted in 1982. Fermented in barrel and aged for 11 months in 47% new French oak, it is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal pink grapefruit, white peaches and Granny Smith apples with nuances of honeysuckle, lemon tart and praline. Medium to full-bodied, it explodes in the mouth with citrus and savory layers, with a gorgeous silkiness and loads of ginger and mineral sparks coming through on the finish. Wow! 813 cases produced.

Wine Advocate (97+)

The 2016 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard comes from the oldest vines on the estate, planted in 1982. Fermented in barrel and aged for 11 months in 47% new French oak, it is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal pink grapefruit, white peaches and Granny Smith apples with nuances of honeysuckle, lemon tart and praline. Medium to full-bodied, it explodes in the mouth with citrus and savory layers, with a gorgeous silkiness and loads of ginger and mineral sparks coming through on the finish. Wow! 813 cases produced.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2018 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard was aged for 10 months in French oak, 46% new. It has a very classy nose of ripe peaches, fresh yellow apples and allspice followed by fresh ginger, cashew and acacia honey plus a waft of sea spray. Full-bodied, rich, satiny and with fantastic intensity and tension, it finishes very long and chalky. YUM! 600 cases were made.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 2021 Chardonnay Sophie's Vineyard comes from an isolated vineyard near the town of Yoncalla in the Umpqua Valley, planted in the late 1970s with Draper and Wente selections. Matured in oak and finished with four months in stainless steel, it has fresh scents of green pear, quince and citrus blossom with undertones of almonds, flint and honey. The light-bodied palate is creamy and plush with gently nutty fruits and a long, refreshing finish.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

Spiced orchard fruits, dried pineapple, toasted bread, and beautiful spicy nuances emerge from the 2018 Chardonnay Bentrock Vineyard, a slightly more generous, rounded beauty that has good concentration, plenty of acidity, and a great finish. It's going to impress over the coming decade.

James Suckling (97)

This is a fantastic chardonnay with sliced green-apple, cooked-apple, nougat and slate aromas. Some dried chili, too. Medium-bodied palate that grows full and tangy, with a vibrant finish of candied lemons and sliced limes. Salty and intense. Unique. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (97)

Plenty of lightly salted caramel with tarte tatin and apple crumble, but ever so subtle. Dried flowers. Delicate toffee. Full-bodied with an intensity of fruit and caramel, along with some crushed stone at the same time. Tangy aftertaste. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (94)

This has lots of verve and brightness, with sliced green apple and pear, as well as matchstick. It’s medium-bodied with tangy acidity. Creamy texture and an intense finish. Drink now.

Vinous (89)

The 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County) is a super-polished appellation-level Chardonnay. Pear, white flowers and mint give the 2014 its brightness and aromatic lift. This is an especially appealing, mid-weight Chardonnay built on freshness. I would prefer to drink the 2014 over the next few years. The key vineyard sites are Bien Nacido, Dierberg, La Rinconada, Zotovich and Sanford & Benedict, with an increasing reliance on Santa Maria fruit.

Vinous (89)

The 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County) is a super-polished appellation-level Chardonnay. Pear, white flowers and mint give the 2014 its brightness and aromatic lift. This is an especially appealing, mid-weight Chardonnay built on freshness. I would prefer to drink the 2014 over the next few years. The key vineyard sites are Bien Nacido, Dierberg, La Rinconada, Zotovich and Sanford & Benedict, with an increasing reliance on Santa Maria fruit.