Masters of (still) Chardonnay?

Who are your masters of (still) Chardonnay?

Choosing 20 Chardonnay producers to include in this poll was very tough. Tried for a variety of styles and regions. Choose as many as apply, and call out producers that aren’t captured here.

Notes:

1. I purposely did not include Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Their production is too small and their prices too high for what I’m trying to accomplish here.

2. Please do not factor premature oxidation concerns into your decision.

3. Still wines only, please.

Ramey and Varner.

PYCM
Bouchard
Drouhin
Bernard Moreau
Christian Moreau

+1 on Varner, but keep it on the down low !

PS Peter Michael

I’m not necessarily claiming their superiority to all these names, but when you consider quality, price, style and availability (to me), Copain and Arcadian are probably my current favorites in Chardonnay.

But I drink a large and growing amount of Chardonnay, and I adventure around a lot, being the omnivinovore that I am. Some I’ve really dug recently are Brittan, Kutch, Ramey and Rhys.

Carillon and Jobard for sure, Mikulski is certainly on his way.

Oregon up and comers: Crowley, Walter Scott, and Haden Fig

Rochioli.

Tom

As someone not from USA, this feels like a rather USA centric list with a full 9 out of 20 are from the US. One token Aussie and then other.

I would have expected more than 50% from France tbh. I guess it depends on your stylistic preferences

I don’t drink nearly enough Chardonnay to provide any intelligent suggestions. I was just struck by the large number of USA wineries that is all.

cheers

Brodie

Ceritas - all but especially Porter Bass
Dauvissat - especially Forest for price
Rhys - the book still being written by them
PYCM -CC
Boillot -CC
For price, Fevre but drink young ahead of premox
For price Louis Michel but so far 2014 MDT is memorable
For price Billaud Simon but hit and miss for me
Raveneau but no deal there - buying your way into the kingdom

Mount Eden is a glaring omission

+1

Peay!!!

Hartford Court. Seems to never get talked about on forums but does get critical respect.

If Marcassin is on the lst you may as well include:

Mayacamas? Montelena?

I would add Mount Eden and Ridge.

Thanks,
Ed

For value Chablis, there are producers I like more than Fevre like Christian Moreau (I would have also highlighted Moreau-Naudet, but unfortunately Stephane Moreau died last summer).

I agree. I think Hanzell may merit inclusion as well, at least as much as Stony Hill. And where is Rombauer?

It’s up there in that butter bomb section of the pic Brian posted!

It’s hard to have a meaningful poll these days without Colin-Morey (=PYCM for those who don’t have the decoder ring). And Carillon and Jobard should be on there.