Wine Ratings

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The 2019 Chablis Vaulorent 1er Cru has an exquisite bouquet of beautifully defined citrus fruit, apple blossom and light flinty notes; a bit of peach skin emerges with aeration. The harmonious palate is very well balanced, delivering admirable depth, well-judged acidity, and flavors of white peach and a touch of quince toward the linear finish. Classy.Vinous Media | 93 VMA more elegant and slightly riper nose also offers plenty of classic Chablis character on the markedly floral-suffused white orchard fruit scents. The more voluminous though a bit less mineral-driven medium-bodied flavors culminate in an energetic, delicious and lingering if slightly awkward finale. This may well come together, and it does have a very good track record, but I prefer not to guess.Burghound | 90-92 BH

In classic Hyde style, the 2019 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard begins with smoky graphite tones that take some time to open to saline, shell, white peaches and floral perfume. The palate is satiny and fragrant with a shimmering mineral character, tangy lift and an incredibly long, ethereal finish. This 2019 offers incredible class and personality, and its energy and nuance suggest it will blossom in bottle for 10 or more years.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98+ RPA stunning white wine, revealing salted, toasted hazelnut, ripe Bartlett pear, Fuji apple and peach flavors at the core, with details of nutmeg, green cardamom and candied ginger on the long, epic finish. Drink now through 2030. 900 cases made.Wine Spectator | 96 WSThe 2019 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard shows slightly more tropical fruits yet still plays in the richer, concentrated, serious style of the estate beautifully. Lots of ripe pineapple, lemon, honeysuckle, green almond, and a kiss of chalky minerality all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, rounded texture, and both notable structure and acidity. It should have a solid decade or more of prime drinking.Jeb Dunnuck | 96+ JDCompelling depth and pretty character to this, offering light caramel, dried apple, pineapple and stone with hints of lilacs and yellow flowers. Some flint and smoke undertones. Drink now.James Suckling | 96 JSScents of tangerine peel, burnt sugar, dried flowers and honey all build as this unctuous, flamboyant 2019 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard struts its stuff. This is classic Hyde all the way, but with a bit more freshness and less opulence than has been the case in the past. Its biggest competition comes from the other wines in this range!Vinous Media | 95 VM

The 2019 Chardonnay Trenton Roadhouse is plush, open-knit and gregarious, offering immediate appeal in a portfolio of cellar-worthy 2019s. The nose is toasty and gregarious with a fragrance of golden apples, roasted almonds and beeswax. The full-bodied palate features loads of expansive fruits and savory tones streaked with graphite and finishing very long and energetic.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RPThe 2019 Chardonnay Trenton Roadhouse is one of the most reticent wines in this range. Bright saline and mineral notes give the Trenton Roadhouse terrific energy and cut. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2019 for at least a few years, as it is pretty reticent at this stage. Even so, the wine’s beauty and elegance are impossible to miss. Goldridge soils with fine-grained sands over clay yields a Chardonnay of tremendous class.Vinous Media | 96 VMWhile the 2019 Chardonnay Trenton Roadhouse comes from the Russian River, it has a Sonoma Coast-like sense of minerality and freshness, with vibrant lemon and poached pear fruits, notes of crushed stone, flowers, and honeyed toast, medium body, bright acidity, and a great, great finish. It’s going to benefit from a year in bottle and cruise for a decade.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDDried apple and light caramel drops. Some chalk-like undertones. Full-bodied with a solid center palate, which fades gently at the end, in a really nice and attractive way. Drink now.James Suckling | 95 JSSucculent apricot, butterscotch and green apple flavors are fresh and in focus, but gain momentum as notes of white flowers, tarragon and spice come in on the long finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,050 cases made.Wine Spectator | 94 WS

The 2019 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard begins with singular touches of seaweed and candle smoke that give way to preserved citrus, white peaches, beeswax and lush jasmine perfume. The palate is dynamic, with a crescendo of honeyed fruits, gently tangy acidity and shimmery mineral character uplifting the finish. It’s Vine Hill Vineyard with the volume turned up!Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RPA tangy, very energetic and tight chardonnay with lime and kiwi character to the sliced green apples. Sherbet at the end. Bitter lemon, too. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 97 JSHoney-soaked dried pineapple, Honeycrisp apple and lemon curd flavors are intense and juicy on a sleek, mouthwatering frame, with hints of toasted brioche and salted butter on the long finish. Drink now through 2029. 1,050 cases made.Wine Spectator | 96 WSFrom a 16-acre site in the Russian River, the 2019 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard is unquestionably another beautiful wine in the lineup. Lots of honeyed lemon, caramelized apple, brioche, and salty minerality all define the nose of this beauty, and it shows the more rounded, supple, yet seamless style of the vintage beautifully while holding onto a vibrant spine of acidity. It’s approachable today yet will benefit from a year or so of bottle age and keep through at least 2029.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDThe 2019 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard is redolent of apricot, yellow flowers, tangerine oil and mint. In 2019, the Vine Hill is deep, opulent and beautifully textured. Readers should plan on cellaring the Vine Hill for at least a year or two, as it is an especially rich, dense wine, with real sense of structure underpinning the fruit.Vinous Media | 95 VM

The 2019 Chardonnay The Judge offers an intriguing mix of textural richness and energy. Lemon confit, white flowers, almond and dried flowers emerge with a bit of time in the glass, but readers should be in no rush. The 2019 is clearly holding its cards close to the vest. That is probably a very good thing for the future. This dense, beautifully layered Chardonnay has a very bright future ahead of it.Vinous Media | 98 VMBig and bold, with plenty of presence, this packs a punch of lemon curd, dried pineapple and Fuji apple flavors, whose intensity is equally matched with notes of mineral, grey sea salt, toasted sesame seed, orange blossom, wildflower honey, spice and tarragon. Reveals a hint of litsea oil on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2030. 300 cases made.Wine Spectator | 97 WS

This is a dense and layered white with a broad palate. It’s full and rich, yet fresh and yummy. Lovely cooked apple, vanilla and praline at the finish. Aniseed aftertaste. Drink now and enjoy.James Suckling | 97 JSThe 2019 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir is another gorgeous wine in this range from Peter Michael. This south/southeast facing block yields a Chardonnay of notable richness and viscosity. Even so, the Mon Plaisir retains terrific energy. Apricot, honeysuckle, mint, butter and pastry flesh out over time. The 2019 is a wine of breadth and power. Superb.Vinous Media | 96 VMThe 2019 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir from Knights Valley reveals a medium gold hue as well as beautiful golden delicious apple, white flowers, toasted bread, and almond paste-like nuances. It’s medium to full-bodied and has a layered, textured mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and straight-up stunning length on the finish. It builds nicely with time in the glass and, if anything, was even better on the second day, so don’t be afraid to give this some air. It will evolve for at least 8-10 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDThe 2019 Mon Plaisir comes barreling out with bold notes of ripe apricots, fresh pineapple, and poached pears with touches of almond croissant, nutmeg, and honeysuckle. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impressive energy and freshness, with a satiny texture and a spicy lift on the long finish.The Wine Independent | 96 TWIFrom vines now more than 20 years old, the 2019 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir is a mix of Old Wente selection and another selection, said to come from Montrachet. Despite coming from a sun-drenched site, the pear and melon notes are quite tight and citrusy but prominent, with the oak and lees work pushed well into the background. It’s medium to full-bodied, plump and generous in the mouth, with a long, mouthwatering finish.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95+ RPA chiseled style, with powerful, well-structured flavors of fresh-cut apple, dried pear and lemon tart that are supported by fresh acidity. The rich and minerally finish is well-spiced. Drink now through 2026. 954 cases made.Wine Spectator | 94 WS