The Best California Chardonnay That You've Had In The Last 5 Years?

WINE TALK
21

My favorite Chardonnays are Rhys Horseshoe and Alpine.

22

Aged Aubert chardonnay for me:

Seriously, I’m not great at “best of” thinking with wine, but 2014 Kutch SCM is the one I remember being most stunned by.

2012 Rhys Horseshoe was also incredible at release and again this summer.

I bought a case of 2014 Hanzell Estate and it’s been superb as well.

The two 2016 Rivers Marie chards I had at Falltacular were real standouts.

23

Aubert Lauren-Pick a year !

1 Like
24

Kutch 2014, Paul Lato 2014 Pisoni

25

Don’t drink much California white but agree 2014 Kutch is very good.

26

Best overall for me were all Mt Eden Chard’s 1996, 1998, 2002 all off winebid for a fair price.

Arcadian, Rhys, Ceritas and Kutch for my palate now but have limited experience.

Ian Brands - LPP Jacks Hill is has great acidity, fruit and texture for a pretty nice price. $22

Clos La Chance from San Martin sells the best $9 Chardonnay I’ve ever had at Safeway’s in NorCal. Its not plonk. The oak isn’t over dominate and the balance of fruit and acidity make drinkable wine.

But honestly I’m buying more Chablis and Oregonian Chard’s these days.

27

Ceritas Trout Gulch is probably at the top. Pretty sure it was 2014. And drank it next to Ceritas Peter Martin Ray. The TG edged it out by a nose.

Would also reccommend Anthill, Rhys, Mount Eden and Lioco.

28

My top 3.

  1. Vice Versa Platt Chardonnay 2016 (their first year but excellent)
  2. Aubert CIX
  3. Kistler Dutton Ranch

I also enjoy Stony Hill

29

14 Kutch again. It really is remarkable.

30

2014 Kutch SCM. And 2008 Rhys Alpine if you allow that it was last tasted 5 years and 3 months ago.

31

I don’t drink a lot of California Chardonnay but over the last 5 years my 2 favorites that I have notes on are:

2005 Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains

and

2013 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

Jason

32

In addition to those mentioned–Ceritas, Rhys, Kutch, Aubert, and Ramey–the 2012 Fogline Zephyr’s Block, a beserkerday buy, really sticks with me.

33

A recent release from Kalin - 1995 Kalin Cellars Chardonnay Cuvée CH Sonoma

34

2007 Marcassin Marcassin Vnyd

35

Very different but both great:

2013 Kongsgaard Judge
2012 Rivers-Marie Theriot

36

2014 Kutch

37

Ceritas, Rhys, Kutch, Lioco, Au Bon Climat, Arnot Roberts and a plug for good ole non-Malo-ed Montelena.

RT

38

1994 Kalın Cellars Chardonnay LW Special Cuvée (just released)

39

Rivers Marie Theriot
Rivers Marie Bear Wallow
Copain Brosseau

40

2011 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard
2014 Aubert Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard
2014 Littorai Chardonnay Thieriot Vineyard