To close out our wine coverage for 2011, we decided to round up some of our favorite bottles from the past year as well as invite wineries to submit their own favorites. Submissions were divided into categories based on their type and/or varietal compositions. (A minimum of 10 different bottles were required to create a category.)

We created the following categories based on submissions: Best CA Bordeaux (red), Best CA Rhone (red), Best CA Burgundian (red & white), Best “Other” CA Red, Best “Other” CA White/Rosé, and Best CA Port/Dessert Wine

Then, for our first round of tastings, the members of our panel that work (or have worked) in the wine industry gathered to select the best wines from each category. Those bottles will be tasted during the final round by the non-industry members of our panel. They’ll be voting for their favorites in each specific category.

The next category up is Best CA Burgundian White, which means Chardonnay, of course. Here are the reviews for each submission.

 

Winery: Alma Rosa

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Santa Barbara

Year: 2007

Special Designation: El Jabali Vineyard

Price: 25-30

Review:

Sourced from CCOF Organically Grown Grapes, aromas of pineapple, vanilla, and a bit of lemon bring life to a glass. A sip offers flavors of lemon zest, vanilla, and pineapple. A fairly creamy, lush Chardonnay with nice amount of oak influence, it still retains a lovely bit of acidity. Try a bottle if you enjoy a harmonious balance of vanilla and brightness.

Rating: 90

 

 

Winery: Bernardus

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Year: 2009

Special Designation: (none)

Price: 20-25

Review:

Aromas of tropical fruit and vanilla greet you on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of pineapple, melon, vanilla, and caramel. With lush fruit flavors and nice oak accents, it’s a wine for fans of a creamier mouthfeel and sweeter barrel influences

Rating: 90

 

Winery: Cache Creek

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Lake County

Special Designation: Reserve

Year: 2009

Price: 25-30

Review:

Aromas of apple, pear, and vanilla can be discovered on the nose. Those same flavors emerge on the palate with hints of minerals and barrel spices. A rich, somewhat creamy wine, it’s for fans of lush, drinkable Chardonnays.

Rating: 90

 

Winery: Ferrari-Carano

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Napa Valley

Year: 2009

Special Designation: Reserve

Price: 30-35

Review:

Aromas of pear, apple, and fresh fig mingle with notes of sweet spices and floral suggestions. The pear, apple, and fig return on the palate, along with a bit of vanilla, nutmeg, and oak. A lush, smooth, wine with nicely integrated oak, it’s perfect for fans of classic California Chardonnay.

Rating: 91

 

Winery: McIntyre Vineyards

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Year: 2009

Special Designation: Santa Lucia Highlands

Price: 35-40

Review:

A bouquet of crisp apple, baked pear, vanilla, and oak greet the senses. Flavors of tart apple and pear meld with notes of vanilla and hints of minerals on the palate. A fairly round Chardonnay that still has a nice, welcoming acidity, if you like vanilla but still want some lively notes, this is a wine for you.

Rating: 91

Winery: Midnight Cellars

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Paso Robles

Year: 2010

Special Designation: Estate

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromatics of apples, mango puree, vanilla and graham cracker crust greet you on the nose. Flavors of apple, pear, papaya, and tart pineapple meld with notes of vanilla and oak on the palate. A fairly crisp wine, with an inviting acidity, fans of livelier Chardonnays that still have some vanilla character will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 90

 

Winery: Mitchell Katz

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Livermore Valley

Year: 2010

Special Designation: Shadow Hills

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromatics of creamy, toasty oak along with notes of pear and tropical fruit rise up from a glass. The palate offers flavors of rich vanilla, pear, and pineapple with a few hints of gram-cracker. A fairly round wine, with a supple mouthfeel, it’s for fans of approachable, creamy Chardonnays.

Rating: 90

 

 

Winery: Steele Wines

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: California

Year: 2009

Special Designation: Steele Cuvee

Price: 15-20

Review:

A bouquet of tropical fruit, apples, and pears meld with lush notes of vanilla and sweet spice greets the sense. On the palate, flavors of pineapple, green apple, and a bit of lime are accented by suggestions of vanilla and all-spice. A rich chardonnay that still has real pleasing acidity, it offers very nice balance and surprising depth for its price range.

Rating: 90

 

 

 

Winery: Ventana Vineyards

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Year: 2009

Price: 15-20

Review:

A bouquet of tropical fruit mingles with notes of vanilla and tart apple. The palate offers flavors of pineapple, apple, and citrus fruits with accents of vanilla and sweet spice. A fairly round wine with nice a light acidity, fans of Chardonnays with a good balance of vanilla and fruit will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 89 

 

 

Winery: Wente

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Year: 2010

Special Designation: Riva Ranch

Price: 15-20

Review:

A bouquet of bright tropical fruit, floral suggestions, and sweet spice greets the senses. The palate reveals flavors of pineapple, dried apricot, white-blossoms, graham cracker and vanilla. Somewhat round but still bright on the palate, it offers some interesting layers and welcoming fruit. Fans of more subtle vanilla in Chardonnays will enjoy this wine.

Rating: 89 

 

Winery: Wente

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: Livermore Valley

Year: 2010

Special Designation: Morning Fog

Price: 10-15

Review:

Aromas of apple, pear, and tropical fruit with just touch of sweet spice can be discovered on the nose. With a sip, flavors of green apple, pear, and pineapple are accented by suggestions of vanilla and all-spice. A nice, crisp Chardonnay with only a subtle oak influence, if you’re not a fan of big, round, and buttery, this is a wine for you.

Rating: 88

 

The Finalists, as selected by the panel, will include the following Chardonnays:

 

Alma Rosa 2007 El Jabali Vineyard

Ferrari-Carano 2009 Reserve

McIntyre Vineyards 2009 Santa Lucia Highlands

Mitchell Katz 2010 Shadow Hills

Steele Wines 2009 Cuvee

 

Check back in mid-January for the results of the final round of tastings and to see which wines we’ve selected as California Wines of the Year 2011.