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Wines of the Week: Cheap Chardonnay

So many people love Chardonnay and lots of them wish the price of a drinkable one wasn't as high as it tends to be. Thus, our tasting panel set out to find some options for $15 or less which still tasted pretty good. Here's what they were able to discover:

Click on labels to enlarge

Chateau St. Michelle 2016 "Indian Wells" Chardonnay
Winery: Chateau St. Michelle
Grape(s):
100% Chardonnay
Region: Columbia Valley, WA
Year: 2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
10-15

Review:
Elements of pineapples, apricots, and peaches combine with notes of clove and buttery oak on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of pineapple, peach, and apricot, accented by highlights of barrel spice and creamy oak. Approachable and fairly balanced, it's a nice chardonnay for the price.
Rating: 90

Catchwire 2017 Chardonnay
Winery: Catchwire
Grape(s):
100% Chardonnay
Region: California

Year:
2017

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
5-10

Review:
A mix of candied pineapples, white peach, lemon custard, and buttery oak rises up from a glass. With a sip, flavors of pineapple, peach, and mango emerge and flow into suggestions of lemon yogurt and butter. It lives in between creamy and crisp and isn't bad for under $10.
Rating: 88

Novellum 2016 Chardonnay
Winery: Novellum
Grape(s):
100% Chardonnay
Region: France

Year: 2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
10-15

Review:
Tropical aromas mingle with suggestions of peaches, minerals, and subtle butter on the nose. Flavors of peach, pineapple, and apricot burst forth on the palate, backed up by notes of citrus peal and buttered toast. Rich without being oaky, this is a lovely Chardonnay for lovers of a livelier style.
Rating: 90

Steele 2015 Cuvee Chardonnay
Winery: Steele
Grape(s):
100% Chardonnay
Region: California

Year: 2015

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
10-15

Review:
Tropical and citrus fruits meld with expressions of barrel spice and toasty oak on the nose. On the palate, flavors of mango, pineapple, and golden apples coalesce among traces of creamy oak, citrus blossoms, and brown spice. Far from a butter-bomb, this Chardonnay is fairly lively with a vivid character.
Rating: 88

By Jason Barlow

Other Related Links:

Ratings Key:
96 — 100
Spectacular
92 — 95
Outstanding
89 — 91
Great
85 — 88
Good
81 — 84
Solid

*Wines rated with a "+" need a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will do so over the coming years

 

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