Because finding wines from an out of business winery is really easy.
It does not get much better than this for California Chardonnay, in my opinion. And they age extremely well.
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Not hard - check with @Joe_Davis
Must you crap on everything??
Must Berserkers look for the biggest PITA to acquire or most expensive wines to answer every freaking question?
Ideally around $60-80 tops but I fold for a good wine
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Aubert Sonoma Coast or Russian River Valley would be a good choice for this.
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Ramey Fort Ross-Seaview Chard is around $45-$50.
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I’ll list a few I think represent CA that should be easier to find.
Napa: Far Niente (no malo) and Montelena
Sonoma: Ramey and Walter Hansel
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If there ever was an overriding style in California its certainly faded into the background. There is a lot of variety more importantly care going into Chardonnay production these days.
You’ve received a scatter plot of everyone’s particular choices to promote. But it would help a lot more if there was something specific you were looking for to share with the group. I have my favs and cool choices but I have no idea if those are what you want.
I might say Burgundy has a more cohesive “style” than California these days yet you are pouring unoaked Burgs which is out of pocket according to my knowledge.
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Hold my beer…
Include a Hanzell Estate.
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Bud…you can’t put Rombauer in the same category as Kongsgaard or Aubert. That’s not fair at all.
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My first answer…buy Oregon Chardonnay.
But I have enjoyed the Hartford chards from Healdsburg. Even though Don Hartford is part of the Jackson family conglomerate he still makes really good wine at his winery in Healdsburg.
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I’m much more into the leaner and more minerality Chardonnays and one of the best is the La Pelle Chardonnay Bien Nacido Block - 1.
Other great producers include -
Liquid Farm
Ramey
Rivers-Marie
Talley
Cattleya
Wayfarer
Maxem
Aubert (just got on their mailing list, but an instant pass with a 6 bottle minimum order unfortunately).
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As you may have inferred, you could do such a comparative tasting solely with California Chards. That might be more informative and avoid reinforcing some unfortunate stereotype.
One suggestion to make your search easier is choose a good retailer you buy from that has their inventory online. Then we could limit our suggestions to there. One stop shopping for you. If K&L works for you, they have the Alfaro Trout Gulch, which is excellent, made by the owners of the vineyard Kutch buys from.
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Just ask Jamie Kutch directly. I’m sure he’d sell you a bottle. Jamie@kutchwines.com
Or let me give you one of mine if you like. I’m here in Orange County and would be fine shipping you one.
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The style has only faded on WB, heavy oak with substantial battonage styled wines are still wildly popular. I think we operate in the echo chamber that is this forum.
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Marcassin for more expensive!
I like Rochioli single vineyard chards - they can be had for relatively inexpensive.
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Guessing Kendall Jackson still pretty popular!