Top 20 Chardonnays of 2022

SIMI SONOMA COUNTY CHARDONNAY 2021

• Producer: Simi
• Region: Sonoma County
• Country: US Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13.5%
• Residual sugar: 0.5g/l
• Approx. retail price: £22
• Medal: Gold

A really impressive, classic and keenly priced Chardonnay, this wine from Simi can be bought for around £20, for which one gets a bottle of instantly-satisfying wine crammed with fine Sonoma Country fruit. There are notes of crème brulée, peach and melon, and a touch of toast on the finish, which lingers after you’ve enjoyed this mouth-filling, slightly viscous drop. If that sounds like a somewhat stereotypical taste of Californian Chardonnay, and you’ve developed a taste for something lighter, then please don’t be put off. Not only is the wine nicely balanced, but its ripe, oaky character provides a welcome point of difference among the austere styles of Chardonnay so prevalent from the rest of the world today. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

NEDERBURG MANOR HOUSE CHARDONNAY 2021

• Producer: Nederburg Wines (Distell)
• Region: Western Cape
• Country: South Africa
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Abv: 14.o%
• Vintage: 2021
• Closure: Screw Cap
• Approx. retail price: £11.50
• Medal: Gold

With a history dating back to 1791 when the first vines were planted on this estate in the Paarl district, the winery continues to produce fantastic wines. This lovely Chardonnay plays music as elegant as that from the Beckstein piano of long-time owner, Ilse Grau, in the 1950s. With a pale lemon-yellow hue, the wine exhibits golden apple, hazelnut and a gentle buttercream accent. Lively acidity supports the mid-weight, rounded and well-integrated palate, which finishes with attractive nutmeg spice from judicious use of wood. A hint of rose petal is reminiscent of Ilse’s Nederburgh rose garden. Well-balanced, the wine will support fish, crustaceans, or poultry. A gently roasted poussin with herbes de Provence and fresh lemon slices is another food pairing. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

MORANDÉ BLACK SERIES CHARDONNAY

• Producer: Viña Morandé
• Region: Malleco Valley
• Country: Chile
• Vintage: 2020
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13%
• Residual sugar: 2.94 g/l
• Approx. retail price: £29
• Medal: Gold

This Black Series wine from Morandé is a really well-made example of New Wave Chardonnay from Chile. Using fruit from the Malleco Valley, it delivers plenty of tangerine and melon flavours, with some fresh grapefruit notes, a hint of baked bread, and a touch of struck matchstick. Fine, slightly smoky, and refreshing, but not too skinny, this is a lovely find from South America. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

FLEUR DU CAP UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY

• Producer: Distell – Fleur du Cap
• Region: Western Cape
• Country: South Africa
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 14.3%
• Residual sugar: 2.03 g/l
• Approx. retail price: £10
• Medal: Gold

Proving that the Western Cape is a brilliant source of inexpensive, barrel-influenced Chardonnay is this ‘unfiltered’ expression from Fleur du Cap. Mixing some ripe pear and peach notes with fresh lemon and toast, along with a slightly tangy and salty edge, it has the hallmark flavours of good Chardonnay; a lovely balance, and it comes at a bargain price. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

BRANCOTT ESTATE LETTER SERIES O CHARDONNAY

• Producer: Church Road
• Region: Marlborough
• Country: New Zealand
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 14%
• Approx. retail price: £13
• Medal: Gold

Along with the Western Cape, Marlborough is a reliable source of fine, affordable Chardonnay, as shown by this Brancott Estate Letter Series O. Mingling with the melon and lemon flavours is an appealing smoky character, and a lingering toasty note, in what is quite a lively, bright style of Chardonnay, but without being too light or in any way unripe. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

CONO SUR 20 BARRELS CHARDONNAY 2021

• Producer: Cono Sur
• Region: Casablanca Valley
• Country: Chile Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13.5%
• Residual sugar: 3.7 g/l
• Approx. retail price: £15
• Medal: Gold

This delicious and brilliant-value white wine from Cono Sur, under its 20 Barrels label, showcases the potential of Chile’s Casablanca for making fine Chardonnay. There’s a lovely combination of tangerine and toast, cashew nuts and rock salt, in what is a great example of ocean-influenced Chardonnay from the New World. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

HOOSEGG EVERYTHING IS GOING TO PLAN CHARDONNAY 2018

• Producer: HOOSEGG by Philip Shaw
• Region: Orange, New South Wales
• Country: Australia
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Abv: 13.1%
• Vintage: 2018
• Closure: Screwcap
• Approx. retail price: £33
• Medal: Gold

HOOSEGG is Philip Shaw’s dream. Having transferred the management of Philip Shaw Wines to his sons, Damian and Daniel, in 2015, Philip established a small winery to make small parcels of wine from his 30-year old Koomooloo vineyard. ‘[Philip] wanted time to [make]…small parcels of wine that can stand amongst the finest wines from anywhere. …[to] select an exceptional site and the right varieties…guiding the direction of the wine, not controlling it… wines that are elegant, vibrant, varietal, intense and complex.’ HOOSEGG? ‘HOO’ is Philip…and the ‘EGG’ is to symbolize ‘a new beginning’. Pale silver-lime-leaf green with lovely green apple and pear fruit, very pretty, almost ethereal, the wine has racy acidity with attractive white peach and yellow plum beneath the structure and showing a lingering finish. A superb ally for delicate dishes, white fish, perhaps, or lighter vegetarian concoctions. Lemon-lime-herbal and white wine sauces will work nicely. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

TAPANAPPA TIERS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY

• Producer: Tapanappa Wines
• Region: Piccadilly Valley
• Country: Australia
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13.5%
• Residual sugar: 0.8 g/l
• Closure: Screwcap
• Approx. retail price: £47
• Medal: Gold

Already a benchmark producer of Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, Tapanappa’s consistent Gold-medal-winning performance in this competition proves that it’s not only top of the pile in Australia, but amongst its rivals worldwide too. Particularly fine is this expression, the Tapanappa Chardonnay from its clos-like, cool-climate Tiers vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley. Featuring notes of fine, fresh fruit, from white-fleshed peach to pink grapefruit, complemented by flavours of cinnamon, cashew and toast, along with a touch of salt and lemon, it’s a layered and complex white, with a fairly light-mouthfeel, but plenty of intense and persistent characters to keep one interested and refreshed. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

KTIMA GEROVASSILIOU CHARDONNAY

• Producer: Ktima Gerovassiliou
• Region: Epanomi
• Country: Greece
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 14%
• Residual sugar: 3.1 g/l
• Closure: Cork
• Approx. retail price: £22
• Medal: Gold

Hailing from a brilliant producer of whites and reds in Greece, including some from extremely rare native grapes of its home nation, Ktima Gerovassiliou has always been a go-to when it comes to wines from the Eastern Med. And this Chardonnay is no different, gaining a Gold when judged alongside the global competition in the £20-30 price band. It’s a lovely and distinctive style of Chardonnay, mixing plenty of sun-ripened fruit flavours with refreshing, pleasantly bitter notes too. So, while there’s apricot and peach, there’s also mandarin and lemon zest, along with some appealing, complementary characters from barrel ageing, such as cinnamon and toast. A medium-weight, layered white with notable persistence, it would work well as a refreshing aperitif with light snacks or with a range of white meats or fish-based dishes. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

CHURCH ROAD GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY

• Producer: Church Road
• Region: Hawke’s Bay
• Country: New Zealand
• Vintage: 2020
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13.5%
• Approx. retail price: £25
• Medal: Master

Highlighting both the brilliance of Hawke’s Bay for Chardonnay and Church Road – a benchmark producer from this part of New Zealand – is this Grand Reserve. Considering the quality of this Chardonnay, it’s relatively good value at £25, and loaded with delicious characters of freshly struck matches, orange zest, and grapefruit pith, and a lingering toasty note. In all, a wine that could easily be confused with premier cru Burgundy from a top producer, but with a touch more ripeness than one would normally find in the Côte d’Or. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

THE PIONEER CHARDONNAY

• Producer: Marisco Vineyards Limited
• Region: Marlborough
• Country: New Zealand
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 14%
• Residual sugar: 0.39 g/l
• Approx. retail price: £40
• Medal: Master

Proving that Marlborough has cracked really fine top-end Chardonnay, along with very good more affordable offerings, is The Pioneer Chardonnay from Marisco Vineyards. A Master-winner in this year ’s competition, and past ones too, this is a reliably great glass of Chardonnay, mixing all the lovely ‘new wave’ flavours from this grape. That refers to the combination of struck matchstick, grapefruit pith, and toast, along with notes of grilled nuts and lemon zest on the finish – a delicious mix that persists for well over a minute. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

STONELEIGH ICON CHARDONNAY

• Producer: Stoneleigh
• Region: Marlborough
• Country: New Zealand
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13.5%
• Approx. retail price: £40
• Medal: Master

Rivalling The Pioneer from Marisco Vineyards when it comes to top Chardonnay from Marlborough is this flagship expression from Stoneleigh – called Icon – which, it should be noted, gained a slightly higher overall score than the former wine, making it the best performer from this region in 2022 (if only just). What’s so appealing about the Icon is its combination of freshness and texture, with the wine exhibiting a touch of viscosity along with a tangy edge. Flavourwise there’s cashew, peach and tangerine, toast, and vanilla, with a touch of grapefruit zest too. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

MARIMAR ESTATE LA MASIA CHARDONNAY 2020

• Producer: Marimar Estate
• Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
• Country: US
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13.5%
• Vintage: 2020
• Approx. retail price: £34
• Medal: Gold

Founded in 1986 by Marimar Torres of the renowned Torres family of Catalunya winemakers, the Marimar Estate focuses on what Russian River Valley does best: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Nestled in the western hills of Sonoma, the Russian River Valley/Green Valley is a mere 10 miles from the deep, cold Pacific Ocean, which brings cooling breezes and nighttime fog to the vineyards, preserving freshness and elegance. Very pale lemongreen in hue, the wine exhibits apple, pear and mandarin fruit with aromatic lemon blossom and honeysuckle accents, and gentle cedarwood and vanilla pod across the palate. Brisk acidity holds the palate and the wine shows distinct chalky notes, layers of flavour and lovely texture. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

HOOSEGG BY PHILIP SHAW SEVEN HEAVEN CHARDONNAY 2018

• Producer: Hoosegg by Philip Shaw
• Region: Orange, New South Wales,
• Country: Australia
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 12.5%
• Vintage: 2018
• Approx. retail price: £67.55
• Medal: Gold

An ‘icon wine’ from Philip Shaw’s 30-year-old vineyards in Orange, New South Wales, the grapes come from 850m-900m altitude sites that experience diurnal swings that preserve acidity and elegance. Bright straw-yellow with hints of green in hue, the wine shows mandarin, yellow and green apples, and mandarin, with hints of lemon zest. Well-judged and beautifully integrated oak adds accents of vanilla and buttercream. Vibrant fruit and zippy acidity define the plush-textured palate, with a touch of phenolics giving a bit of extra grip. Layered and complex, the wine is a perfect foil for poultry, rich fish such as daurade or sea bass, even in a Cajun-inspired rub. Equally at home with artisanal cheeses. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

ST HUGO EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2021

• Producer: St Hugo,
• Country: Australia,
• Region: Eden Valley
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13.5%
• Vintage: 2021
• Approx. retail price:£25
• Medal: Gold

In 1983, Hugo Gramp’s 19 th-century legacy was honoured with the release of the first wine named St Hugo. The addition of the title St was inspired by the quaint European tradition of naming vineyards after saints so as to bestow good fortune upon the grapes and the wines. This Chardonnay from the Eden Valley hills above the Barossa Valley is delicious, showing yellow fruits and a smokytoasty overlay on the nose. The palate is richly flavoured with lively acidity and a minor key of astringency giving attractive grip. The lingering finish has a touch of roasted nuts, suggesting a perfect pairing with sole amandine, or another ‘swimming’ fish. A small game hen stuffed with wild-and-red rice is also a recommended match. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

UVA MIRA MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS THE SINGLE TREE CHARDONNAY 2019

• Producer: Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards
• Region: Stellenbosch
• Country: South Africa
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Abv: 13.5%
• Vintage: 2019
• Closure: Cork
• Approx. retail price: £60.00
• Medal: Gold

Uva Mira translates as ‘miraculous grape’, and The Single Tree Chardonnay has long been a favourite at drinks business Global Masters Series. Living up to the producers’ name, this is a top-class ‘miracle wine’, exhibiting a mid-lemon colour, green apple, pear and greengage fruit accented by vanilla, butter and honeysuckle. Rich, but mid-weight, the palate shows good depth of flavour, zippy acidity and long finish. A wine that will work well with vegetarian dishes, risottos or seafood pastas. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

BODEGA ENATE BARREL-FERMENTED CHARDONNAY SOMONTANO DO 2021

• Producer: Bodega Enate Somontano DO
• Region: Somontano
• Country: Spain
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 14.5%
• Vintage: 2021
• Approx. retail price: £27.50
• Medal: Master

Located at around 600m altitude in the northern Spanish wine region of Somontano, Bodega Enate was established in 1992. ‘Art inside and outside the bottle’ identifies this winery and art gallery, and paintings, drawings or sculpture decorate the labels of the bottlings. This barrel-fermented Chardonnay has a label designed by Antonio Saura, a lovely line drawing that presages the pristine character of the wine within. Pale lemon in colour, this mid-weight wine shows golden apples, buttercream, and oatmeal, braced by lively acidity and judicious spice from French oak. An excellent pairing for grilled salmon with soy-infused sauce or smoked white meats, it also works beautifully with a mid-week Asian stir-fry of prawns and vegetables with a few cashew nuts. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

BODEGAS BIANCHI MARIA CARMEN CHARDONNAY 2021

• Producer: Bodegas Bianchi
• Region: San Rafael, Mendoza
• Country: Argentina
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 13.5%
• Vintage: 2021
• Approx. retail price: £40
• Medal: Master

Historically, the San Rafael area in the south of the Mendoza region was best known for inexpensive wines produced from Criolla Grande. Nowadays, like the higher-altitude areas, San Rafael is emerging as important for warmclimate international varieties, such as Malbec, Tempranillo, and Chardonnay. This gem is from Bodega Bianchi, a forward-looking producer whose tourist offering includes bicycle tours through the vineyards, as well as the more common picnics and wine tastings. Pale lemon-coloured, the wine shows pretty golden apples and yellow plums supported by gentle smoky oak. The bright fruit is framed by lively acidity. Creamytextured and lingering, the wine allies well to pork dishes, perhaps with apricots or peaches with a dash of brandy and cream. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

CAPENSIS

• Producer: Capensis Winery
• Region: Western Cape
• Country: South Africa
• Vintage: 2018
• Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 14%
• Approx. retail price: £92.40
• Medal: Master

Capensis wowed the judges once again in this year ’s competition, taking home a Master in 2022, having bagged one in 2021 too. Crafted to be the ultimate expression of South African Chardonnay from producers who know a thing or two about this grape – Jackson Family Wines – Capensis delivers on its aim, while beating a lot of competition from beyond the Western Cape too. The wine contains layers of flavour, from burnt sugar to charred bread, along with vanilla, pear, peach and popcorn. It also mixes in some salty, zesty notes with a slightly creamy texture to ensure this wine is refreshing, but also spoiling. (Patrick Schmitt MW)