Tasting Report: Central Coast Chardonnay

I have to admit that my love of Burgundy influences my ratings for Chardonnay, no matter where they come from. So I was thinking of Burgundy while I was finishing my tasting of Chardonnays from California’s Central Coast. And I must say I found many wines with richness, yet racy and lively.

I visited a number of top Chardonnay producers from the region last fall including Greg Brewer and Paul Lato and they too use Burgundy as their reference. Another Central Coast Chardonnay maestro to look out for is John Hilliard. What they all have in common is their dedication to produce bright and lively Chardonnays. They don’t want to make over extracted, over oaked Chardonnays.

I agree. Please try to find the top scorers in this report and let me know how you like them.

 

Also tasted, but not receiving marks of 90 points or more:

2010 Foxen Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Tinaquaic Vineyard 2009 Gainey Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills Limited Selection 2009 Hearst Ranch Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Glacier Ridge 2008 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Nuits-Blanches au Bouge 2009 Bridlewood Chardonnay Monterey County  2009 Castoro Cellars Chardonnay Paso Robles  2010 Foxen Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Steel Cut - Bien Nacido Vineyard 2008 Kenneth Volk Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard 2008 Kenneth Volk Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Sierra Madre Vineyard 2009 La Fenetre Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard 'Block Eleven' 2009 Presqu'ile Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley  2008 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 2009 Castello di Amorosa Chardonnay Santa Barbara County Bien Nacido Vineyard Reserve 2009 Deovlet Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Solomon Hills Vineyard 2009 Dierberg Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Steel 2009 Dunning Vineyards Chardonnay Paso Robles Westside 2010 Four Vines Chardonnay Santa Barbara County Naked 2009 La Fenetre Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley  2009 Norman Vineyards Chardonnay Edna Valley Reserve 2009 Sandhi Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict 2009 La Fenetre Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Sierra Madre Vineyard 2009 La Fenetre Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard 2009 Phantom Rivers Chardonnay Edna Valley  2007 Cambria Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bench Break Vineyard