2020 Decoy Chardonnay

Decoy’s 2020 expression is really a classic California style Chardonnay, with lemon lime, quince, Mandarin orange, a little bit of Crème brulee and butterscotch. The acidity and viscosity makes this an ideal food wine and the soft nature of the flavors means it can pair with a wide variety of dishes from pasta to sushi and fish, to fettuccine Alfredo, and roasted chicken. For an inexpensive Chardonnay this really showcases what’s great about a California appellation since the grapes were harvested from various grape growing regions in various counties, therefore it truly represents the Golden State.

ORIGIN: California
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
PRICE: $20 (750 ml)
SCORE: 90 POINTS

Napa Valley Chardonnay: Foods to Pair With, and Meals that Call for, Napa Chardonnay

Chardonnay—a chameleon of a grape. There are an especially large number of choices to be made in terms of winemaking when it comes to Chardonnay. It can be still or sparkling. It can be aged in oak or un-oaked, filtered or unfiltered, subject to malolactic fermentation or not. Even the type of oak used, or the decision to keep the wine in contact with dead yeast cells during the winemaking process affects the style of the final product. These factors (not to mention the concept of terroir) result in endless Chardonnay styles that can range from Burgundy’s crisp, austere, mineral-driven wines to Australia’s tropical fruit-packed, viscous style.

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Best Napa Chardonnay (For the Money)

IntoWine.com asked a panel of wine experts for their recommendation for the best Napa Chardonnay (for the money): California Chardonnay has entered a new golden era, and there are terrific, cooler climate examples available from all over the State. These great new Chards tend to be balanced, with minerality and strong acidity, as well as less obtrusive new oak than was the trademark of California Chardonnay even five years ago. Napa does not have a particularly cool climate, so the wines from this region tend to have more ripe, tropical fruit characteristics, and more richness, as well as more of a creamy mouth feel, thanks in large part to the new oak typically used for fermentation and aging. Nonetheless, for those who like the rich, tropical fruit style of Chardonnay, there are some great examples from Napa that are relative values. My top pick for the money is the Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Napa Valley Chardonnay, with the current release going for a relatively reasonable average of $35. Here I get more lemon and lemon cream than super-ripe tropical fruit, but with solid weight and creamy texture. Also quite good but considerably pricier, at about $50, is the Hestan Vineyards Chardonnay, made by sought after Napa winemaking consultant Mark Herold. - Richard Jennings, IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder RJonWine.com

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Top Ten California Chardonnays - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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2022 Cuvaison Chardonnay, Coeurtina

Vintage:

2022

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$70.00USD

Cuvaison’s Small Lot program showcases small production of unique wines “of character and complexity and which explore different styles and techniques.” I have reviewed many of their Small Lot wines over the years and they have all excelled. Therefore, it’s exciting to once again taste a new Small Lot Chardonnay. As with all Small Lot wines, these are estate grown.

Gary Farrell 2022 Russian River Selection Chardonnay

Vintage:

2022

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$40.00USD

2020 Decoy Chardonnay

Food and Wine Pairing Tool

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