This 25 May marks annual International Chardonnay Day. In celebration of one of the world’s most popular grape varieties, we take a look at top-scoring Chardonnay wines from the Decanter World Wine Awards.
From steely and unoaked styles to rounded and rich, the versatility of Chardonnay is unmatched, making it a winemaker’s grape and a consumer favourite.
It’s a favourite amongst the world’s top wine experts too, with Chardonnay wines from across the globe often awarded top ratings at Decanter World Wine Awards.
Commenting on the styles of wine that delivered a memorable performance at the 2022 competition, Regional Chair for New Zealand Cameron Douglas MS noted, ‘there were high expectations for the Chardonnay category and the wines that scored a Silver or better were often re-tasted to ensure a unanimous decision was reached. Chardonnay from New Zealand has without doubt earned its place in the wine cellars of Decanter readers.’
Scroll down to discover the top-scoring Chardonnay wines of DWWA 2022
New Zealand’s Church Road, Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2020 from Hawke’s Bay was one of just 50 wines awarded a Best in Show medal out of the 18,200+ wines judged. This was alongside three more Best in Show wins to Chardonnay-based wines from Australia and France.
Exemplary of Chardonnay’s ability to grow well in a range of climates, nine countries are represented in the competition’s Platinum medal category with 23 Chardonnay-dominant wines awarded 97 points including top expressions from the UK, Argentina, Germany, Italy, South Africa and Slovenia. A look to Gold results (95-96 points) further highlights Chardonnay’s truly global stature with more top-quality expressions coming from Spain, Hungary, Croatia and China.
To celebrate International Chardonnay Day, we highlight the top-scoring Chardonnay wines of Decanter World Wine Awards well worth seeking out, with many more to discover at awards.decanter.com
Top Chardonnay wines of DWWA 2022
Argentina
Bemberg, La Linterna Finca El Tomillo Parcela No 1 Chardonnay, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2017
Platinum, 97 points
Attractive and very inviting, with beautiful aromatics of toast, fresh lemon and lime and a pretty stony reduction, then to a textured palate laced with lush yellow stone fruit, cut apple, well judged oak and a harmonious, fresh acidity. Alc 13.5%
Australia
Orlando, Lyndale Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia 2019
Best in Show, 97 points
You’ll have no trouble telling our two Antipodean Chardonnay wines in the Best in Show selection apart – which is exactly as it should be, as place-related differences step to the fore in winemakers’ thinking and craft. This wine is more greensilver than gold, and packed with aromatic floral lime, underscored by a swirl of cream from barrel-fermentation. It’s vivid and fresh without being skinny, lean or over-taut – clearly a Chardonnay at ease with its cool climate. Yet the layers are there, too, like exposed sedimentary strata, giving the wine a vertical dimension which will carry it effortlessly through a meal. Alc 13.3%
Brookland Valley, Reserve Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia 2020
Platinum, 97 points
Opens with a lifted aroma of cantaloupe melon with subtle toasty oak notes and some nutty richness. The oak leads the initial palate which opens into restrained ripe fruits with a mouth-filling texture. A trace of light bitterness on the end provides delicious freshness. Alc 13.7%
Stella Bella, Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia 2020
Platinum, 97 points
A lovely wine with an intense grapefruit pith and fresh brine quality that lifts the whole palate. A dry attack starts with zesty citrus and yellow fruits, opening to offer tropical notes and hints of creamy vanilla. There is pithy length to the refreshing, almost austere zesty finish. Alc 13.5%
France
Telmont, Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne 2012
Best in Show, 97 points
Both of our Champagne Best In Show wines this year have seen plenty of cellar age, something that is particularly important when a restrained dosage takes the wine into the Extra Brut category, as it does for this refined, pure-fruited Blanc de Blancs. The pale straw gold of its colour is just beginning to deepen, and the wine has a restrained aromatic profile of white nectarine and peach, with the cream of lost lees smoothing its journey in the glass. In the mouth, it is intense, long, searching and pure, all sap and sinew at first; give it time, and you’ll see those early-season summer fruits begin to smile shyly despite the wine’s dry force. Alc 12%
Chapuy, Unique Oger Chardonnay Brut Nature Grand Cru, Champagne 2014
Platinum, 97 points
Deep and powerful, yet airborne and alive. The restrained aroma develops and opens to offer white flowers, lemon blossom, balm, and a light touch of nuts. The palate shows delicious lemon, apple, and melon, with some bright exotic details. The mineral-dry, biscuity finish shows an accent of fresh almond. Alc 12.5%
Nicolas Feuillatte, Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru, Champagne 2012
Platinum, 97 points
Very toasty and upfront aromas with lemon curd and candied red apples. The ripe, yet zesty lemon peel and white grapefruit palate shows lovely detail on the fine mousse finish. Alc 12%
Château de la Crée, La Garenne, Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru, Burgundy 2019
Platinum, 97 points
Lovely lemony apple fruit with a floral edge and a firm saline minerality on the nose. The texture is fresh and lively with a marvellous balance between the crisp acidity and good levels of extract. Well-integrated oak and a beautiful lingering finish make this a delicious wine. Alc 13.5%
La Chablisienne, Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru, Burgundy 2019
Platinum, 97 points
Lovely definition of flavours that range from apricot, melon, and quince to lemon peel, along with facets that encompass creamy, lactic notes, and freshly incisive minerality. The wine is vibrant and long on the palate and should age for years. Finishes with tension and style. Alc 14%
Marks & Spencer, Les Domaines Brocard Organic, Chablis, Burgundy 2019
Platinum, 97 points
Ripe lemony fruit with a saline/seashell edge and a pleasantly flinty minerality. Very lifted, with herbal notes bringing additional complexity. There is some structure and substance to the wine which is harmonious and well balanced. Altogether pleasant and very good value. Alc 13.5%
R. Dubois & Fils, Les Monts de Boncourt, Côte de Nuits-Villages, Burgundy 2020
Platinum, 97 points
Ripe apple, citrus peel, melon, butterscotch, and oak spice with a leesy edge providing interest on the nose. The palate is rich yet invigorating, showing robust oak treatment, with really outstanding vibrant acidity and a creamy density. A wine that punches well above its appellation. Alc 13%
New Zealand
Church Road, Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 2020
Best in Show, 97 points
With two wines in this year’s Best In Show selection, Hawkes’s Bay has excelled – and our judges, too, were particularly happy that the North Island winegrowers’ slow, painstaking work teasing Chardonnay levels ever higher are patently paying off. This outstanding wine has a bright gold colour with faint lime glints. Freshness and richness are beautifully paired in the aromas – to an extent which is perhaps only possible south of the equator in New Zealand. That gives this wine a memorable classicism, Burgundy-lovers might note. In the mouth, it is concentrated and confident, once again striding down that line between the fresh and the rich to vivacious effect. No hurry to drink: a year or two’s cellar softening will bring great benefits here. Alc 13.5%
Villa Maria, Keltern Chardonnay, Hawke’s Bay 2020
Platinum, 97 points
Prominent oak spices on the nose, showing vanilla and toast with notes of ripe citrus and stone fruit. Opulent on the palate, creamy and full-bodied, very well textured, in harmony with a beautiful crisp acidity. Alc 14%
South Africa
De Wetshof Estate, Bateleur Chardonnay, Robertson 2020
Platinum, 97 points
An amazingly lifted perfume of toffee apples, tarte tatin, green apple snow, meadow flowers, and some freshly grated ginger. There are ethereal white pears, mandarin, and pretty Pink Lady apple flavours with oak adding just the faintest lick of nutmeg and fresh vanilla. Quite elegant, super stony, very zippy. A lovely wine. Alc 13%
Paul Cluver, Seven Flags Chardonnay, Elgin 2020
Platinum, 97 points
Cool and stony, this is classical, elegant and mineral-laden with a tangy, concentrated, sweet sour finish. The green fruits, yellow peach and hints of mango on the nose open into a palate of ripe peach and super-intense but well-managed oak. The rich palate has a lifted, balancing-acid tail. Alc 13%
United Kingdom
Vagabond Wines, Chardonnay, Essex 2020
Platinum, 97 points
Well integrated, balanced and refreshing with creamy aromas of lemon, melon and vanilla and a rich citrus palate. Some oak influence complements the acacia and honeysuckle, giving a perfumed palate. Also on the palate, tropical fruit flavours, citrus fruits and cream. Lovely long vanilla and lemon finish. Alc 12.5%
