Introduction
Chardonnay is the queen of white grapes. Chardonnay far and away remains the most popular wine in the U.S. and has continued to be the leading varietal wine for the last decade, with sales increases every year.
Fans of Chardonnay are familiar with the wine’s usual descriptors: green apple, fig and citrus flavours, a complex aroma, and high acidity for a crisp wine. The wine is often aged in oak to produce toasty, vanilla and buttery overtones.
California is by far to biggest producer of Chardonnays, thus I have dedicated a separate review solely for Californian Chardonnays. Check out these excellent wines here.
You might be surprised though by the quality of Chardonnays from elsewhere in the United States, which I have reviewed and rated below. The wines can be delivered through Wine.com, USA’s number one wine retailer, which can be accessed through the links on this page.
Please note that all the listed wines have been rated and for a detailed explanation of how these ratings come about, please click here.
Introduction to Wine.com (the number 1 wine retailer by revenue)
Our mission is to promote the wine lifestyle, through innovation. Head-quartered in San Francisco, right between California’s wine country and Silicon Valley, we’re passionate about using technology to bring you the world of wine at your fingertips.
The world of wine at your fingertips
The average grocery store carries 600 wines and the average wine shop carries 1,200. Wine.com offers you over 10,000 wines every year from over 100 appellations and 50 grape varietals. Our available inventory is well over a million bottles. Get the best wines at Wine.com right here:
Delivery made easy – faster, safer & cheaper
Once you’ve found your wine(or case), our fulfilment team takes over. Wine presents some unique delivery challenges: it’s heavy, glass, perishable in extreme temperatures, requires an adult signature for delivery and many states don’t even let you ship there. We’ve been attacking and solving these problems for over a decade.
Satisfaction guaranteed
We’re confident in what we do, and excited to have you become a fan too! If your wine arrives spoiled or damaged in any way, we’ll replace it, no questions asked. We have in-house customer service centres on both coasts ready to take your call or email for this or any other support you require.
What do the ratings mean?
Score | Explanation |
---|---|
95–100 | A classic great wine |
90–94 | An outstanding wine of superior character and style |
85–89 | A very good wine with special qualities |
80-84 | A good solid, well-made wine |
75–79 | A mediocre wine, drinkable but may have minor flaws |
50–74 | Not recommended |
The best selling wines you need to try:
1. Product: Cote Bonneville Chardonnay
Where to buy at lowest prices: Wine.com
Vintage: 2013
Bottle: 750 ml
Region: Yakima Valley, Washington State
Rating: 89/100
Price: From $50 discounted to $43.99
Wine Tasting Notes
Lemon zest, ripe Bartlett pear, and white flowers integrate with baking spices, toasty oak and the rich, creamy texture from the extended sur lees ageing. This vintage has a unique baked apple component, complete with the melted brown sugar and cinnamon on the top.
About the Wine maker
Standing atop the steep hillside, gazing south toward the Yakima River, you pause to enjoy the view. The rockiness underfoot goes unnoticed. Perhaps it’s the prominence, the elevation, or the aspect, but there is a sense that this vineyard is a special place.
Cote Bonneville believes that great wine is made in the vineyard. They planted classic varietals in 1992 after tearing out the original orchard. They continue to develop the vineyard with one goal in mind: to grow the best grapes possible from our site. Their commitment to producing the highest quality fruit has been appreciated by our winery customers, consumers of their wines, and wine reviewers.
You can buy this outstanding wine on line and save by clicking the banner below, wine>chardonnay>washington.
2. Product: Seven Falls Wahluke Slope Chardonnay
Where to buy at lowest prices: Wine.com
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bottle: 750 ml
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Rating: 87/100
Price: $17.99
Wine Tasting Notes
Chardonnay from the Wahluke Slope already has a fair amount of character, but the right barrel treatment really enhances the lush, tropical notes that make it a perfect pair for rich foods and sauces.
About the Wine maker
Seven Falls was inspired by a series of seven waterfalls that once flowed along the Columbia River through what is now known as the Wahluke Slope. With one of the warmest and driest climates in Washington state, and sandy loam soil in the vineyards, the terroir in this historical region is perfect for creating big, bold wines with outstanding structure.
Many winemakers consider the Wahluke Slope to be the backbone of the Washington wine industry. The Wahluke Slope AVA is one of the state’s driest and warmest grape growing regions, allowing nearly complete control of vine vigor and ripening through irrigation. The soils here are uniform over large areas, well drained and course in texture, and made up of gravelly and rocky silt and sand. With such a warm climate and unique soil composition, the Wahluke Slope is known for wines with big flavour and lots of structure.
You can buy this excellent wine on line and save by clicking the banner below, wine>chardonnay>washington.
3. Product: Yamhill Estate Chardonnay
Where to buy at lowest prices: Wine.com
Vintage: 2013
Bottle: 750 ml
Alcohol: 12.8%
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Rating: 85/100
Price: $23.99
Wine Tasting Notes
The nose of this mellow Chardonnay Starts with Floral earthy notes, and evolves into a nice spice once on the palate. The wine has a perceived sweet creamy entry supported by a full and viscous texture in the mouth; the finish has a resounding perfume floral note that lingers, lovely with seafood and creamy pasta.
About the Wine maker
Yamhill Valley Vineyards is dedicated to producing distinctive wines from estate grown grapes in the emerging Oregon style reminiscent of the finest Burgundian and Alsatian wines. The heart of our wine making is dedicated to Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris wines. With the planting of Pinot Blanc in the spring of 1994 we look forward to being a “three-Pinot family.” We are a young vineyard (our first vintage was 1983) and winery in a new winegrowing region, dedicated to the production of cool-climate varieties. While keenly aware of traditional methods used in the production of our wines we are committed to exploring new technologies, innovative techniques and modern practices. We are dogged in our pursuit of a character that is distinctively Oregon and distinctively Yamhill Valley. We are one of the first wineries in America to use synthetic closures and the first to use plastic corks exclusively. We are experimenting with Oregon oak in the barrel ageing of our wines. Our goal is to produce the very finest wines that our site and skills allow.
You can buy this great wine on line and save by clicking the banner below, wine>chardonnay>oregon.
4. Product: Hamacher Wines Cuvee Forets Diverses Chardonnay
Where to buy at lowest prices: Wine.com
Vintage: 20123
Bottle: 750 ml
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Rating: 89/100
Price: $39.99
Wine Tasting Notes
Perfumed citrus blossom, clove spice, marzipan with mineral-laden creme brulee and honeydew melon show in the nose. In the mouth, the wine is broad and quite viscous yet bright with spicy apricot, honey and ripe yellow plum flavors with a long rich finish.
About the Wine maker
For more than ten years, Hamacher Wines have represented an uncompromising commitment to quality. As one of Oregon’s leading winemakers, Eric Hamacher has established a reputation for producing elegant Chardonnay and balanced Pinot Noir.
You can buy this exceptional wine on line and save by clicking the banner below, wine>chardonnay>oregon.
Please note that the category Product Reviews contains more reviews of Chardonnay wines from the best regions in the world.
I like your website. I know nothing about wine, but you make me want to try some. Keep up the good work!
Hi Jordan, I am glad you like my website and would invite you to visit again. Who knows, we will make you a Chardonnay aficionado yet! Cheers, Jerry