13 Exciting California Chardonnays
New reviews of late-release 2008s and the first wave of 2009s

AUTEUR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2009 Score: 93 points | $38
Editor's Note: Red Complex and concentrated, with a vivid mix of blueberry, black- berry, tar, cedar and berry jam. Full-bodied, spicy and floral, folding together nicely on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 202 cases made. –J.L.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Sonoma Stage Vineyard 2009 93 points | $60
Editor's Note: Red Fragrant aromas of blackberry, jasmine tea and berry jam are full- bodied, tightly wound and intense on the palate, with a long, full, focused and persistent finish, where the flavors gain depth. Drink now through 2020.145 cases made. –J.L.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir Mendocino Ridge Manchester Ridge Vineyard 2009 94 points | $50
Editor's Note: Red Ripe, pure and complex, offering generous plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit that’s medium- to full-bodied, with floral scents that build and gain velocity and dimension on the palate, coming into an even tighter focus on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 123 cases made. –J.L.

AUTEUR Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Durell 2008 Score: 93 | $40
Editor's Note: Tight and firm, with vivid, well-structured peach, citrus blossom, tropical fruit and honeysuckle flavors that are pure, focused and concentrated. Should gain from cellaring. Drink now through 2017. 227 cases made. –J.L.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Shea 2008 Score: 92 | $60
Editor's Note: A bit chewy, but beautifully focused to show off its ripe cherry, black pepper, tobacco and floral aromas and flavors on an open texture, deftly knit with fine tannins. Lingers effortlessly on the finish. Best from 2012 through 2018. 225 cases made. –HS

AUTEUR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Sonoma Stage 2008 Score: 92 | $60
Editor's Note: Strikes a fine balance between ripe, rich fruit wrapped in a tight frame, offering a complex mix of dried berry, plum, black licorice and dried herb flavors. Firms up on the finish, where the flavors fan out. Should age nicely. Drink now through 2020. 225 cases made. –JL

AUTEUR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Sonoma Stage 2007 Score: 91 | $60
Editor's Note: Impressive for its finesse and subtle nuances. Floral, lavender and savory dried berry flavors give this a complex aroma, turning more austere and tight on the palate, yet fanning out on the finish. Drink now through 2016. 247 cases made. –JL

AUTEUR Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Shea Vineyard 2005 Score: 89 | $60
Editor's Note: Shows vivid aromas and flavors, with a tremendous depth of blackberry and currant fruit wrapped in scratchy tannins that need time to soften. Should improve with cellaring. Best after 2008. 171 cases made. –HS

AUTEUR Chardonnay Durell Vineyard 2008 Score: 94
More orange zest, lemon rind, honeysuckle and tropical fruit notes are found in the 2008 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard (made from an old Wente clone). There is a subtle smoky component (from the 25% new French oak that is used) in this full-bodied, rich wine that displays great acids as well as a striking minerality. It should be consumed over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2011-2015.

AUTEUR Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 2008 Score: 92
The 2008 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard possesses crisp, steely, Chablis-like characteristics of white citrus, steely acids, medium to full-bodied flavors and lots of purity. It is impossible to find any hint of oak in this wine even though 25% new French oak was utilized. Drink this northern Burgundy-styled Chardonnay over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2011-2015.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard 2008 Score: 92
The 2008 Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard, a blend of the well-known Calera and Swan clones, comes from a cool, windy terroir. It exhibits loads of plum, black currant, sweet cherry and raspberry characteristics intermixed with hints of Asian spice, forest floor and soil. The complex aromatics are followed by a full-bodied Pinot with outstanding depth, purity and richness. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. Drink 2011-2016 .

100 Point Ratings by Doug Wilder

Winemaker of the Year