Whites Under $50

wines

The Alto Adige produces arguably the finest Pinot Bianco in the world, and this scintillating example is a perfect introduction to the local style. Fermentation and lees ageing in stainless steel only produces a white displaying jasmine inflections to as yet closed pear and yellow peach aromas and a light waxiness. Balanced and with lovely acidity, it’s quite fleshy but not fully open yet, showing some nectarine and flowers for now. Really good length, with that classic stony, salty finish.Decanter Magazine | 93 DECThis is mountain Pinot Grigio that reminds you why Alto Adige is special - crystalline purity from those porphyry soils meets the variety’s natural generosity. There’s that signature Terlano tension between richness and precision, like Alpine sunshine caught in a glass. The texture says "serious wine" while the energy keeps you coming back for another sip.Wine Enthusiast | 92 WEThe 2024 Pinot Bianco Tradition mixes vivid notes of crushed yellow apple with wildflowers and spice to form its inviting bouquet. This blends a pretty inner sweetness with juicy acidity and ripe orchard fruits to create a seductive impression on the palate. A subtle saline tinge remains, as the 2024 finishes incredibly fresh with a twang of sour lime.Vinous Media | 91 VMWell-balanced and fresh, with flavors of ripe nectarine, green almond, passion fruit and white blossom, plus a stony base note that chimes in on the finish. Drink now. 14,160 cases made, 3,100 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 90 WS

This has quite some power and concentration for a regular Sancerre. Medium- to full-bodied thanks to the pronounced tannins, but this is still bright and refreshing thanks to the animating wet-stone freshness in the long, compact finish. Plenty of yellow grapefruit aromas and flavors, with a touch of yellow bell peppers. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 92 JS

Lemon sorbet and orange sherbet, plus details of lemongrass, lemon verbena, and both fresh and dried ginger notes, show touches of saline and white tea on the long and detailed finish, with plenty of intensity and sleek, mouthwatering acidity that give this precision. Drink now through 2036. 23,500 cases made.Wine Spectator | 93 WSThe 2024 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) is a terrific introduction to the range. Apricot, white flowers, mint, white pepper and tangerine oil are nicely pushed forward. The warmer season yielded an especially forward, open-knit Chardonnay. It’s a style that works quite well at this level.Vinous Media | 91 VM

The 2024 Cheverny Blanc from François Cazin is made from grapes that are organicallyfarmed and hand-harvested. The 2024 version is crafted from its customary blend of eighty percentsauvignon blanc and twenty percent chardonnay, with the two grapes fermented together and agedin stainless steel and older oak foudres. The wine comes in at twelve percent octane and deliversa vibrant and lovely bouquet of gooseberry, fresh lime, green apple, chalky soil tones, fresh-cutgrass and a topnote of orange peel. On the palate the wine is deep, bright and full-bodied, with asucculent core of fruit, beautiful soil signature and grip, zesty acids and seamless balance on thelong, complex and very precise finish. This may well be the best Cheverny Blanc I have evertasted! Shocking quality for such a difficult growing season! 2025-2035+.John Gilman | 93+ JG

The 2024 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc leads with juniper and cassis, green apples and lemon zest. In the mouth, the wine has a quinine-like freshness and intensity, shaped by pliable phenolics through the middle palate and finish. This is a really classy wine here. It’s sophisticated. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPCut grass, passion fruit and river stones on the nose. The palate is light-bodied with focused acidity, giving notes of orange blossoms, jasmine and lemon peel. Polished and tightly wound. Drink now. Screw cap.James Suckling | 91 JS

The 2024 Chardonnay Willamette Valley is a bright yellow color and offers notes of honeyed citrus, poached apples, and pretty spice. Full-bodied yet carrying a medium-bodied, fruity elegance, this vintage includes fruit from Freedom Hill and Durant. Aged in neutral French oak and concrete amphora, it has a great texture and a long-lasting finish. Drink now or over the next 7-8 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDThe 2024 Chardonnay Willamette Valley wafts up with minty freshness, blending white flowers with nuances of ginger, flint and slate. The palate is soothingly round, with a pretty inner sweetness and supreme balance as lemon mingles with apricot and a saline mineral tinge. Lively tension puckers the cheeks while mouthwatering acidity and a salty flourish linger. The value here is unparalleled.Vinous Media | 93 VM

Tiny touch of rose gold to the yellow colour. Spiced pink grapefruit aromas lead to a silky and smooth palate that’s very elegant. There’s some lovely acidity, and a deep, saline, tense finish that has great length. The oak works well, it doesn’t occlude the fruit and freshness. Wonderful stuff. Fermented and aged in new oak barriques.Decanter Magazine | 96 DECAll Clairette Rose and vinified and aged nine months in 100% new French oak barrels, the 2024 Châteauneuf Du Pape Chapelle Blanc displays a medium gold hue and has fabulous notes of ripe orchard fruits, brioche, caramelized orange, and spice. It’s medium to full-bodied, round, concentrated, and textured on the palate, with ample mid-palate depth and volume, a great mouthfeel, and outstanding length. With roughly 166 cases produced, it’s up with the crème de la crème in the vintage and will keep for 10-15 years if well stored. Drink 2025-2040.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDNotes of herbs, confit citrus and spices preface the 2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, a medium- to full-bodied, round and sappy wine with a juicy, enveloping mid-palate that lead to a fresh, mouthwatering finish. This is a blend of 40% Clairette Rose, 40% Grenache Blanc and 20% Roussanne.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 91 RP

Green apples, sliced pears and wet stones on the nose of this fresh and crisp white. It’s light- to medium-bodied, clean and refreshing. Drink now.James Suckling | 90 JS

The 2024 Caneco, which has a new colorful label, screams Albariño from Salnés with that mixture of sea breeze, flowers and freshly cut grass. It’s clean and expressive, and even though it’s still a little young and faintly reductive, it shows great balance and harmony. It has an austere and serious mouthfeel. 16,666 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2025.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RP