Suck it up [price wise] and spring for some Arcadian Sleepy Hollow.
That’ll start her on the trip over to The Dark Side.
Also, if it’s a special occasion [birthday, anniversary, whatever], then you can drop some serious coin and get a Fisher - either Whitney’s [richer] or Mountain [more minerally].
+1 on Starmont
A few others that might fit the bill–enough oak for her, enough acid for you:
Just yesterday I picked up a mixed bag, including '10 Jadot ‘Chardonnay’ (was recommended via private message as fitting the bill), Raymond, and Chateau St Jean Robert Young. Haven’t tried any yet, but we did try Wente, and she did not like it as it was too light in color, and mouthfeel. Perhaps I should reduce her Chardonnays in a saucepan?
Generally speaking, RRV and Santa Barbara may bridge the gap.
I’d be pretty surprised if a 2010 village Burgundy will be what she’s looking for, if Wente is not rich enough, but let us know when you try it.
Talley
A Rombauer marketing type once called that stuff “liquid crack” so the cold turkey phase isn’t gonna be pleasant. Good luck!
lol
I was told there’s a good dose of oak in it, so we’ll see. If not, at least I have village Burg that I can drink! ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
Had a 2010 Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Coast Chardonnay this weekend that is somewhere in the middle, and very reasonably priced. Suspect you could find good value in Santa Lucia Highlands and Santa Cruz Mountains.
Since she really likes oak, it’s more difficult to find ‘value’ because oak is not cheap, so the wine that uses new oak is rarely a value.
Just to throw out another idea: Cambria Katherine Vineyard’s Chardonnay. CT notes for the 2008 reference oak but also bright acid, and the most recent note actually mentions that it’s not as buttery as that person expected.
I think Talley is a good call too, although you’re into $20+ territory again there.
Second for Benziger.
Second or third for Mt. Eden Wolff.
Won’t recommend anything I sell, but look for Novellum (south of France, very lightly oaked) from my friendly competitor Eric Solomon. Sounds like your joint wheelhouse at ~$12.
Dan Kravitz
I was hesitant to contribute to this thread because I’ve never tried a Rombauer Chardonnay. But, as it happens, we drank a bottle of 2007 Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay last night. My thought was that it nicely hit the middle between oaky/buttery and acidic. This is the first and only wine I’ve ever had from this winery so I can’t speak to any other vintages.
Well, I opened a bottle of the ‘10 Jadot ‘Chardonnay’ Burgundy, and I like it - she hasn’t tried it yet, and when she came back from her all-day meeting, she brushed her freakin’ teeth, so I guess I won’t find out today!
I’ll 
for the mt Eden Wolff, the La Crema and Wente Riva Ranch. A new one is the Bernardus.
I can get my white burgundy 1er cru only wife to drink a glass of one these at a restaurant if need be.
Toasted Head Chard (RH Phillips) is a good candidate for slutty buttery wine lovers.
We’re looking for a ‘transitional’ substitute, not a cheap version of Rombauer, as I can’t stand those kinds of wines, just as she can’t stand the style I like.
“Slutty buttery wine lovers” is one of those things that you can read several completely different ways. Like when you see the road signs that say “SLOW CHILDREN AHEAD.”
Todd – one wine came to mind immediately for me and was mentioned by a few others;
Mount Eden Wolff
Solid, consistent, mid-to-high teens price. Some butter and oak, but balanced with nice tropical fruit as well.
I’m surprised anything Mount Eden is mid-teens…better look that up