If you’re looking for a single word to explain why chardonnay is such a popular white wine around the world, it’s versatility. This most accommodating grape can be manipulated to achieve a plethora of appealing styles. Use malolactic fermentation to ease the acidity for a softer, fruity taste. Add oak and produce a buttery, vanilla-infused wine with a little smoke on the nose. Regardless of how it’s made, sampling a “Best Of” chardonnay is an extraordinary experience, as our 3LUXE review team discovered in our quest to find you the three best. Savor these wonderful whites and we’re sure you’ll agree that “chardonnay is more than just O.K.”
If you take your chardonnay seriously, then you owe it to yourself to sample the top offerings from a winery that obsesses over it. You see, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards produces nothing but chardonnay, and its Sonoma-Cutrer, Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Les Pierres 2003 is a very serious white wine. Hailing from the cool and foggy coastline recognized as the Sonoma Coast Appellation, this vintage Les Pierres delivers a wine worthy of the Grand Cru tradition with a careful, handcrafted approach to ag... FULL REVIEW
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Sometimes it takes years of working for other people to produce perfection when you finally venture out on your own. Such is the case with David Ramey, who spent two decades creating benchmark wines for the likes of Chalk Hill, Matanzas Creek, Dominus and Rudd before founding Ramey Wine Cellars in 1996. Located just off the Healdsburg town square in the heart of Sonoma County, Ramey’s unassuming winery sources grapes from top vineyards he has worked with for years. Initially committed to producing only ... FULL REVIEW
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If you’ve ever purchased a tie or other premium clothing from Robert Talbott, then you’ve also helped create the “Best Of” 2002 Talbott Diamond T Estate Cuvée Audrey Chardonnay. This magnificent Monterey County chardonnay is produced by a discerning family-run operation whose original claim to fame is the Robert Talbott luxury clothing line. As Robert and wife Audrey traveled to Europe during material buying trips, they became interested in producing wines in the Old World tradition. Rober... FULL REVIEW
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