With the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) movement behind us, it is time we celebrate this noble variety. Grown worldwide – in cool, moderate and hot climates – Chardonnay’s delicate flavours act as the ideal canvas to express a region’s subtleties or a winemaker’s vision.

 

Vega Sindoa Viura Chardonnay 2012

Reviewed by: Sean Wood

Rating: Very Good

$10

DO Navarra, Spain

Review Summary:

A combination of native Viura with Chardonnay, this one wafts scents of tropical fruit and ripe cantaloupe shifting to citrus and yellow pear, with creamy spiciness and refreshingly bright acidity on the palate.

 

Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2009

Reviewed by: Evan Saviolidis

Rating: Excellent

$65

Twenty Mile Bench, Canada

Review Summary:

Le Grand Clos is Jordanne’s top Chardonnay, with a price tag to match. Medium to full bodied, there is super balance: the extract/concentration, oak, acid and alcohol mesh together beautifully. Its flavour is succulent, with ripe apple fruit, lemon, toast, vanilla, slight tropical notes and a beguiling backbone of minerals. The persistency is gratifying. It puts many a great Burgundy to shame.

 

Lenoble Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut

Reviewed by: Tony Aspler

Rating: Excellent

$48

Champagne, France

Review Summary:

This is one very elegant Champagne (25% barrel-aged Chardonnay in the blend). Straw colour; creamy nose of white flowers, apple, ginger and a leesy note; round on the palate, very dry; white peach and green apple flavours, finishing with a nutty, chalky note.