2009 Best American Chardonnays

All of these wines were sampled in 2009. Heintz Vineyard and Ritchie Vineyard on a label regardless of producer is a guarantee that you are getting a special Chardonnay. The Breggo Anderson Valley Chardonnay was a pleasant surprise. Oregon, too, has the potential for great Chardonnay, but success has been spotty to date. Most of these wines are still available from the winery or through the retail marketplace.

2007 Alysian Cresta Ridge Vineyard Taurin Block Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $38

2007 Aubert Ritchie Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $80

2007 Benovia La Pommeraie Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $48

2006 Breggo Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Chardonnay $34

2006 Dehlinger Russian River Valley Chardonnay $33

2007 Evening Lands Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay $80

2007 Freestone Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 1,300 cases, $75

2007 Freestone Pastorale Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 108 cases, $100.

2007 Harmonique Delicacé Anderson Valley Chardonnay 98 cases, $59

2006 Hirsch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $50

2006 L’Angevin Charles Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (Note: this producer has changed names to Peirson-Meyer for the winery’s Chardonnays) $55

2007 LIOCO Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley Chardonnay 225 cases, $35

2007 LIOCO Sonoma County Chardonnay $19 (Best Value)

2007 Lucas & Lewellen Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 1,002 cases, $16 (Best Value)

2006 Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay $63

2008 Russian River Vineyards Limited Left Edge Selection Manchester Ridge Mendocino County Chardonnay $34

2006 Tandem Manchester Ridge Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Chardonnay $34