Massive concentration and depth. Classic style. New oak but balanced. Still youthful but pronounced fruit. Fantastic weight, depth, and flavour. Long finish.

Attractive notes of apples, toast and sweet citrus fruits in the nose find parallel character in the direct, well ripened flavors of this neatly balanced, mid-sized Chardonnay. Composure, rather than unbridled richness, is the keynote here, and, if just a touch narrow at the finish, the wine will find useful service with both lighter chicken or meaty fish dishes.

Youthfully bright fruit aromas are considerably enriched by buttery tones and plenty of creamy oak in the appealing nose. Mouthcoating on the palate, the wine is smooth an well-textured. Fruit is the lead player throughout but lees and oak flavors contribute complexity and seasoning that add to the wine's overall richness and sense of depth. Well-balanced, the wine will continue to gain interest over the next few years and will enhance the enjoyment of savory chicken or veal preparations.

Elegant, crisp, lightly floral, with pear and apple flavors, great dinner wine. 3 stars, superb.

The Best Chardonnay Wines That Bordeaux Has To Offer If you are looking for Chardonnay wines in which the elements are made of tropical fruit splash, then the 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Four Hearts deems the perfect choice. A bottle of this wine opens an excellent pink grapefruit, pineapple, lemon tart, with apple notes, croissant and nutmeg elements.

We began with two chardonnay, one from the far eastern portion of the huge Sonoma Coast appellation and the other, two ridges inland from the Pacific Ocean. Both vineyards are influenced from by rock and fossils. The 2015 Stone Cote Vineyard Chardonnay comes from a block within the Durell Vineyard and its steely, mineral elements are influenced from a nearby river bed. In contrast, the estate 2015 Fog Dance Vineyard Chardonnay originates from the Green Valley of Russian River Valley appellation, near the coast. Although the flavors were a bit rounder with hints of citrus and stone fruits, the mineral finish prevailed.

We began with two chardonnay, one from the far eastern portion of the huge Sonoma Coast appellation and the other, two ridges inland from the Pacific Ocean. Both vineyards are influenced from by rock and fossils. The 2015 Stone Cote Vineyard Chardonnay comes from a block within the Durell Vineyard and its steely, mineral elements are influenced from a nearby river bed. In contrast, the estate 2015 Fog Dance Vineyard Chardonnay originates from the Green Valley of Russian River Valley appellation, near the coast. Although the flavors were a bit rounder with hints of citrus and stone fruits, the mineral finish prevailed.

Summer Wine Recommendations from C Lazy U Ranch Sommelier Elise Blann For all those California chardonnay drinkers out there, this is a great option for summertime. You get the oak and the butter you’re looking for without it being too heavy. The apple and pear notes come through just enough to create an extremely balanced chardonnay, light enough in body to stand up to the summer sun.

Try a few sparklers and chardonnays for a light touch OK, Chardonnay requesters, here’s a few for you. Hartford Court Forestville Four Hearts 2015 is ready and findable. RP wrote a 96 in 2015 and it went off the scale, jumping to $48. Time heals, my friends. The wine did a backflip to $41. It is still around now and in its perfect window at $42-$45. Straw- yellow color says, “I can cellar longer if you wish.” Redolent floral nose: orange, honeysuckle and apple blossom, plus citrus and oak aromas. Smooth, medium-full-bodied with tangerine, crème brulée, vanilla, honey, and marmalade flavors. Perfect mineral acidity supports all through a long, nutty finish. Long time since I’ve enjoyed Chardonnay like this.

Top 100 Wines of 2017 Density is balanced by crunchy acidity in this generously flavored wine. Golden apple, nectarine, Asian pear and crème brûlée notes meld beautifully, and the finish is fresh and clean. Hello crab cakes.

Hartford purchased grapes from a vineyard block in the Durell Vineyard near Sonoma for this wine. It’s full-bodied yet bright, with honeysuckle, white peach, green apple and clover honey personality. Crunchy acidity makes for a long, refreshing finish.

Mandarin and citrus on the nose, lively on the palate, honest, very mineral and long, slightly exotic, original.

Hartford is known for its single-vineyard chardonnay, pinot noir and zinfandel from the western reaches of Sonoma County. It would be easy to dismiss this appellation blend from the Russian River Valley as its entry-level wine, but it is an excellent example of chardonnay from this part of Sonoma. It offers honeysuckle, white flowers and citrus notes, showing the influence of the cool ocean fog in its acidity and structure.

A tasty chardonnay with complex flavors. Notes of pear, melon, toast, herbs and spice. Creamy texture. Lovely.

This Chardonnay is white-winemaking at its most opulent. The subtle sweetness of honeysuckle greets the nose, as do aromas of candied lemon, lychee, and beeswax. The crisp, lush palate saturates the taste buds with white-peach, ripe-peat, lemon and lime flavors that arise from the wine's dense nectarlike depths, which gradually make way for a finish of green tea and spearmint.

The golden-hued 2007 Four Hearts Vineyard Chardonnay represents white wine at its most opulent. The subtle sweetness of honeysuckle greets the nose, as do aromas of candied lemon, lychee, and beeswax. The crisp, full, and lush palate saturates the taste buds with white-peach, ripe-pear, lemon, and lime flavors that arise from the wine's dense nectarlike depths, which gradually recede to make way for a long finish of green tea and spearmint.

Top Wines of Sonoma: Sonoma Wine Country Weekend August 2009

Top Wines of Sonoma: Sonoma Wine County Weekend August 2009

Hartford notes that you can see the ocean from this far Sonoma Coast vineyard; it's adjacent to Williams-Selyems' Coastlands vineyard, and is so cold that they only got 1/4 of a ton of fruit per acre this (admittedly, it was a cold year). The nose is less overt than Stone Cote's, with a scent that recalls orange oil. As you'd expect from that chilly a property, this is a taut, structured Chardonnay, with lemony acidity and a fresh lime-zest and mineral flavor that's very appealing.

This exceptional small-production winery, owned by Jennifer and Don Hartford, makes outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

From a single block within the Durrell Vineyard, this has a nose of smoky less and resinous notes that is truly evocative; Don Hartford said that to him it has a little of that hazelnut smoke that reminds me of white Burgundy, and that sounds about right, too. The fruit is all pears and stone fruits, with a citrusy finish. Four months in fifty percent new French oak.

The 2005 vintage was particularly successful throughout Sonoma; the Chardonnays were especially rich and concentrated, but well balanced with excellent acidity. Look for impressive 2005 Hartford Court Stone Côte Chardonnay, from the cool Sonoma Coast region.