One of the finest Chardonnay coming out of California is consistently the estate release from Ridge. Their 2021 Chardonnay Estate offers a gorgeous nose of crushed citrus, flower oil, flinty minerality, toasted nuts, and white flowers, with perfectly integrated background oak. It tastes like a Grand Cru white Burgundy with its minerality, vibrant acidity, yet balancing extract and concentration. It's easily the finest vintage of this I've tasted, and readers should jump on bottles. It will have 15-20 years of overall longevity.
96 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Oct 2023)
Rich and toasty up front, with grilled orange, toasted cumin, nectarine and honeycomb notes, plus dried ginger and cardamom. Shows a touch of salted toffee to complement peach preserves, dried pineapple and Honeycrisp apple. Juicy finish. Drink now. 2,100 cases made.
94 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator (Jul 2023)