DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Shibumi Knoll Chardonnay 2015
Buena Tierra Vineyard
(Russian River Valley)   $90

Following fermentation, this wine(made from Chardonnay grapes grown on vines planted over 50 years ago) was barrel-aged in French oak (40% new, 60% neutral) for 14 months before bottling.

Aroma: Pineapple, gooseberry, cherry skin, vanilla, violets, floral, grass, cedar, oak, Burgundian, beautiful.

Palate: Grapefruit, citrus, lemon peel, honey, rich butter, vanilla, grassy, wood, oak, Burgundian.

Finish: Gooseberry, lemongrass, creamy, oak, burgundian, enjoyable, beautiful, lovely.

Double Gold Medal

Loring Wine Company
River Quinn 2017 Chardonnay
(Santa Barbara County) $34

This wine was barrel fermented (100%) and aged half in French oak (20% new) and half in American oak (20% new)

Aroma: Lemon, lemon zest, orange peel, Golden Delicious apple, melon, fig, apricot, pineapple, honey, honeysuckle, dill, grassy, hay, coffee, mineral oil, vanilla, cream, wood chips, oak, bright.

Palate: Pineapple, tangerine, lush tropical fruit, lemon, lemon spritz, citrus, tart green apple, apple pulp, white raisin, butter, vanilla, good acid, smooth, balanced.

Finish: Mango, pineapple, citrus, apple juice, floral, buttery, creamy, balanced oak, nice finish.

Double Gold Medal

Silverpoint Cellars Chardonnay 2016
(Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County)   $45

This wine was made from grapes that experienced a long, gradual growing season. Following barrel fermentation, the wine was aged on its lees (wasted yeast) in French oak (50% new) for 15 months followed by another 6 months of aging once bottled.

Aroma: Pineapple, peach, tart apple, lemon, lemongrass, vanilla, malolactic, brine, creamy, oak, fresh, lovely.

Palate: Pineapple, unripe mango, orange, apple, lemon zest, soft citrus, honey, vanilla, buttery, oak,, cedar, gentle.

Finish: Papaya, guanabana, lemon, Mediterranean olive mix, brine, creamy, oak, balanced, clean, nice, soft, big, tasty.

Double Gold Medal

Lafond Winery Chardonnay 2016
Lafond Vineyard
(Sta. Rita Hills)   $42

This 100% Chardonnay was totally barrel-fermented and aged in a combination of new and neutral French oak barrels.

Aroma: Fresh red apple, pear, lychee, lemon, citrus, pineapple, honeydew melon, banana, tropical fruit, vanilla, hay, oak.

Palate: Lemon, lemon zest, citrus, grapefruit, tart apple, tropical fruit, lightly floral, creamy, buttery, oak, wood, wet stone, great minerality, deliciously tart, crisp, fresh, soft, delicate, beautiful, elegant.

Finish: Butter, oak, well balanced, soft, smooth, delicious.

Double Gold Medal

Fetzer Sundial Chardonnay 2017
(Mendocino)   $9

This wine is a blend of Chardonnay (89%) and smaller amounts of Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that were fermented in stainless steel tanks and a mix of French and American oak barrels.

Aroma: Freshly cut apples, pear, Korean white melon, cantaloupe, pineapple, mango, bright citrus, apple blossom, lightly floral, light honey, honeysuckle, almond, pinot grigio, bright.

Palate: MacIntosh apple, white peach, pineapple, melon, acai berry, white grape, lemon peel, citrus, clove, mineral, hint of cedar, refreshing.

Finish: Mandarin, lemon, citrus, sweet apple, wet flint rocks, clean, soft.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Lewis Cellars 2017 Sonoma Chardonnay
(Russian River Valley)   $55

Grapes for this wine were whole-cluster pressed, then fermented in French oak and aged totally in French oak for 11-15 months prior to being bottled, unfined and unfiltered.

Aroma: Pineapple, mango, star fruit, citrus, vanilla, praline, buttered popcorn, fresh cut grass, oak.

Palate: Pineapple, orange rind, lemon peel, honeysuckle, herbaceous, dill, tarragon, straw, vanilla, creamy, buttery, oak.

Finish: Apple, citrus pith, butter cookie, herbs, reserved oak, balanced.

Gold Medal

Balletto 2016 Chardonnay
Cider Ridge Vineyard
(Russian River Valley, Sonoma County)   $39

Grapes for this wine were whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented using indigenous yeast, after which the wine was totally barrel aged in French oak (33% new) for 18 months before bottling.

Aroma: Peeled tangerine, apple, apple juice, banana, coconut, tropical fruit, faint melon, minerals. red slate, wet stone, oak.

Palate: Star fruit, gooseberry, tangerine, lemon, big citrus, apple, apple blossom, lemongrass, minerality, high acid, gentle tartness.

Finish: Star fruit, gooseberry, white peach, pineapple, tropical fruit, butter, hint of oak.

Gold Medal

Pellet Estate Chardonnay 2015
Sunchase Vineyard
(Sonoma County)   $68

This wine was made from hand-sorted Chardonnay (100%) grapes that were fermented over 36 months in French oak barrels and followed by a secondary “malolactic” fermentation over the next 6 months on its lees (wasted yeast).

Aroma: Lemon peel, fresh citrus, citrus oil, vanilla, caramel, honeycomb, dill, grassy, minerals, oak.

Palate: Pear, apple, navel orange, lemon, lemon peel, spring flowers, floral, vanilla, praline, butter, cedar, oak, balanced, clean, crisp, elegant.

Finish: Pineapple, lemon balm, nice tartness, bright, refreshing, lovely, pleasant finish.

Gold Medal

Relay Wines Chardonnay
(Mendocino) 1.5 Liter Box.   $17

This wine was made from sustainably-farmed grapes grown by the Ehrke Family in Sacramento Valley.

Aroma: Granny Smith apple, Honey Crisp apple, crisp apple, gooseberry, white peach, nectarine, fruit cocktail, honey, honeysuckle, apple blossom, white flowers, jasmine, saline.

Palate: Honeycrisp apple, Golden Delicious apple, crisp apple, pineapple, guava, peach, white peach, banana, lemon, lemon zest, orange, honey, jasmine, minerality, smooth, like velvet.

Finish: Honeycrisp apple, Pink Lady apple, apple, balanced citrus, creamy, lovely.

Gold Medal

Bowman Cellars 2017 Chardonnay
(Russian River Valley, Sonoma County)   $32

Made from hand-harvested Chardonnay grapes, this wine was barrel fermented in neutral French and American oak.

Aroma: Pineapple, orange rind, coconut, vanilla, mint, sweet clover, purslane, clove, hay, buttery, oak, cedar, malolactic, Burgundian.

Palate: Lemon-lime, orange, citrus, pineapple, peach, gooseberry, herbal, vanilla, butter, creamy, nutty, oak, cedar.

Finish: Honeysuckle, caramelized sugar, vanilla, oak, balanced, rich, classic white Burgundy, beautiful.

Gold Medal

ROAR Chardonnay 2017
Rosella's Vineyard
Organic (Santa Lucia Highlands)   $45

Following harvest and fermentation, this wine was aged for 14 months in French oak (38% new) prior to bottling.

Aroma: Meyer lemon zest, kumquat, star fruit, citrus, apple, white Welch’s, honeydew melon, fruit forward, honey, lightly floral, smoky.

Palate: Granny Smith apple, gooseberry, lemon zest, white grapefruit pith, faint citrus, coconut, honey, mineral, oak, butter, creamy, rich.

Finish: Red apple, pineapple. lemon, oak.

Gold Medal

Loring Wine Company 2017 Chardonnay
Kessler-Haak Vineyard
(Sta. Rita Hills)   $46

This wine was 100% barrel fermented then aged for 10 months in 50% French oak (20% new) or 50% American oak (20% new). Only 100 cases were produced.

Aroma: Pineapple, gooseberry, lemon, Kalamata olives, buttery popcorn, malolactic, funky, barn, earthy, oak, very pleasant.

Palate: Gooseberry, orange peel, citrus, vanilla, saline, malolactic, funky, touch of oak, tannic, chewy, velvety smooth.

Finish: Lemon squeeze, great grass, creamy, soft, balanced, good with food, lovely.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Smith-Madrone 2016 Chardonnay
Estate Grown
(Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley)   $40

This 100% Chardonnay wine was made from grapes grown in loamy, volcanic-based soil that was dry-farmed. Following barrel fermentation, the wine was aged for 9 months in French oak (80% new) before bottling.

Aroma: Pineapple, tropical fruit, bosc pear, honeysuckle, vanilla, butter, chalky, hay, barnyard, wood, oak.

Palate: Lemon-lime, lemon, pineapple, nectarine, coconut, lemon balm, praline, vanilla, herbal, grassy, dill, wood sorrel, cedar, nice oak, super oak, creamy, smooth.

Finish: Peach, papaya, apple, citrus, lemon balm, purslane.

Silver Medal

Robert Renzoni Vineyards
Barile Chardonnay 2017
(Temecula Valley)   $28

Following fermentation for 10 days of Dijon Clone Chardonnay grapes from Hadke Vineyard, this wine was aged for 10 months in 40% new French oak.

Aroma: Gooseberry, green grapes, pineapple, lemon tree, oolong tea, mineral, wet stone.

Palate: Pear, apple, pineapple, lemon, saline, almond, cedar, velvety, interesting.

Finish: Lemon peel, vanilla, briny, cedar, oak.

Silver Medal

Red Car Chardonnay 2015
Ritchie Vineyard
(Sonoma Coast)   $58

This wine was fashioned from grapes grown in a vineyard located only 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, thereby providing cooling fog to enhance growing conditions. Following fermentation, the wine was aged in French oak (15% new, 85% neutral) for 16 months before bottling.

Aroma: White peach, pear, lemon, white flowers, perfume, black jelly beans, Angostura bitters, dusty, minerality, earthy, butter, oak.

Palate: Lemon, lemon zest, pink grapefruit, grapefruit bitters, banana, Juicy Fruit gum, cinnamon, vanilla, buttery, oak.

Finish: Lemon, cider, anisette, nutmeg, minerals, buttery, creamy.

Silver Medal

Grgich Hills Estate 2015 Chardonnay
Estate Grown
(Napa Valley)   $43

This wine was made from certified organic grapes grown in vineyards at the southern tip of Napa Valley (that experience a long growing season because of the cooling morning fog over the vineyards from San Francisco Bay). Following fermentation, the wine was aged in French oak for 10 months before bottling.

Aroma: Lychee, strawberry, pineapple, citrus, apple cider, floral, honey, vanilla, creamy, mineral, wet rocks, Burgundian.

Palate: White peach, pineapple, gooseberry, white grapefruit, grapefruit pith, light citrus, lemon peel, lemon zest, bubblegum, mineral, oak, clean, fresh.

Finish: Gooseberry, lemon, bright citrus, buttery, chalky, wet stones, oak, elegant acidity, soft, summertime, nice finish.

Silver Medal

Pellet Estate Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2016
Sunchase Vineyard
(Sonoma County)   $42

Following hand-sorting of the grapes (100% Chardonnay), they were whole-cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then aged on its lees (wasted yeast) and lightly filtered before bottling.

Aroma: Pink grapefruit, lemonade, lemon soda, apple juice, caramel apple, green apple skin, vanilla bean, wheat, oats.

Palate: Apple, apple juice, apple cider, kiwi, mango, unripe banana, squeeze of lemon, lime, almond, earthy, mineral.

Finish: Lemon, citrus, white grape, banana, herbal, hint of flora, earth, flint, balanced oak, pleasant acidity, crisp.

Silver Medal

Lafond Winery Chardonnay 2017 SRH
(Sta. Rita Hills)   $25

This wine was made from Chardonnay grapes from Hilltop Ranch Vineyard (52%) and Lafond Vineyards (48%) that were totally barrel-fermented and aged on its lees (wasted yeast) in oak barrels (16% new) before bottling.

Aroma: Lemon, charred Meyer lemon, grape juice, tropical fruit, buttery.

Palate: Lemon, gooseberry, apple, coconut, fruit pie, white flower, lemongrass, mineral, wet stones, hint of tobacco, buttery, creamy, oak, balanced.

Finish: Lemon, grassy, beeswax, clean, balanced acidity, really nice finish.

Silver Medal

Joseph Cellars 2016 Chardonnay
(Napa Valley)   $40

This wine made from 100% Napa Valley Chardonnay grapes (from Saint Helena vineyards), and following fermentation, was aged for 10 months in neutral French oak prior to bottling.

Aroma: Peach, papaya, citrus, stewed apples, honey, lemon cookie, pastry, pie crust, toasted oats, orange blossom, gardenia, floral, elegant.

Palate: White peach, pear, tangerine, hint of raspberry, vanilla, caramelized sugar, crème brûlée, custard, saline, mineral, clove, wood barrel, oak, rich.

Finish: Bosc pear, lemon balm, citrus, crème brûlée, saline, subtle oak, nice oak, nice acidity, bright, balanced, tasty.

Silver Medal

Line 39 Chardonnay 2017
(Parlier, California)   $10


Aroma: Cut MacIntosh apple, apple, pear, Asian pear, pineapple, grilled pineapple, lychee, lemon, lemon tea, oak.

Palate: Crisp red apple, Asian pear, fruit forward, honeycomb, hibiscus, Burgundy style, nice acid, mellow, fresh, summertime.

Finish: Apple, citrus rind, honeycomb, creamy, oak, tart, crisp, bright.

Silver Medal

BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Frey Chardonnay 2017 Organic
(Mendocino)   $12

This wine was fermented in stainless steel and was in contact with minimal oak during the aging process. The wine contains 0 ppm of sulfite and was produced in accordance with all US organic regulations.

Aroma: Crisp fresh apple, green apple. white peach, white grape, papaya, tropical fruit, honeysuckle, minerals, buttery, oak.

Palate: Apricot, unripe peach, kiwi, green apple, lemon peel, white grape juice, rosewater, beeswax, mineral, wet stone, bright.

Finish: Red pear, dried apricot, honeysuckle, subtle almond, earth, crisp, interesting.

Bronze Medal

J. Wilkes Chardonnay 2017
(Santa Maria Valley)   $24

This wine was made from a blend of Chardonnay (96%) and a small amount of Pinot Blanc (4%) grapes that were harvested at night and fermented totally in stainless steel, followed by 8-10 months aging in 20% new French oak.

Aroma: Lemon, pear, faint apple, gentle apple, dried stone fruit, light vanilla, orange blossom, jasmine, pie crust, chalk, must.

Palate: White grapefruit, bergamot, lemon, lemon peel, apple, pineapple, semi-sweet grape, hard fruit candy, pastry, pie crust, oak.

Finish: White grapefruit, lime peel, faint apple, gardenia.

Bronze Medal

Harken Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2017
(Parlier, California)   $14

Grapes for this wine hailed from the Arroyo Seco area of Salinas Valley and were 100% barrel fermented, then aged for 7 months in American oak (80%) or French oak (20%) before bottling.

Aroma: Apple, plum, vanilla, beeswax, mint, eucalyptus, tarragon, light hay, oak.

Palate: Jackfruit, plum, green apple. lemon, candied lemon peel, tropical, praline, vanilla, butter, malolactic, ash, oak.

Finish: Pomelo, apple, citrus peel, vanilla, creamy, chalky, oak, bright fruit, great tartness, delicious.

Bronze Medal

Cakebread Cellars 2017 Chardonnay
(Napa Valley)   $39

Grapes for this 100% Chardonnay were harvested at night, followed by whole-cluster pressing and fermentation in French oak barrels, after which the wine was aged on its lees (wasted yeast) for 8 months before bottling.

Aroma: Lemon-lime, lemon ice, white peach, white nectarine, mango, tropical fruit, floral, grassy, oak.

Palate: Lemon verbena, lemon, green apple, citrus pith, honeycomb, saline, mineral, creamy, oak, smooth.

Finish: Lemon-lime, lemon, lemonade, citrus, green apple, unripe peach, breadcrust, mineral, creamy, easy to drink.

Bronze Medal

Sean Minor 2017 Chardonnay
(Sonoma Coast)   $18

This 100% Chardonnay wine was made from grapes that were 100% whole-cluster pressed, then fermented in French oak barrels (20% new), and aged in French oak barrels for 10 months before bottling.

Aroma: Lemon, cut apple, green apple, white peach, plums, olives, brine, clean, fresh.

Palate: Apple, pear, lemon, lemon cookie, citrus, bright citrus peel, herbal, floral, honeysuckle, light oak.

Finish: Green apple skin, olives, tropical, herbal.

Bronze Medal

Frey Chardonnay 2017 Biodynamic
(Mendocino)   $15

This wine was fermented in stainless steel and was in contact with minimal oak during the aging process. The wine contains 0 ppm of sulfite and was produced in accord with all biodynamic regulations.

Aroma: Pear, Asian pear, red apple, freshly cut tropical fruit, honey, vanilla pudding, crème brûlée, buttered popcorn, beeswax, light honeysuckle, straw, hay.

Palate: Lemon, apple, tropical hard candy, celery leaf, straw, hay, briny, saline, minerality, flinty, wet stone.

Finish: Anjou pear, lemon, praline, buttery, grassy, wet stone, clean.

Bronze Medal