Expect ripe pineapple, baked apple, lemon curd, vanilla, butter, and toasted oak with full body, lush creamy texture, and balanced acidity. The 2023 California vintage was cool and longer-than-typical.
- Varietal
- Chardonnay
- Region
- USA / California / Carneros (Napa-Sonoma border)
- Body
- Full
- Style
- dry white, oak-aged, ripe, opulent, traditional
The producer
Rombauer Vineyards was founded in 1980 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer (descended from the family of "Joy of Cooking" author Irma Rombauer). The Carneros Chardonnay is one of the most widely distributed and instantly recognizable California Chardonnays — defining the rich, buttery, oak-driven traditional style.
What critics say
Rombauer Chardonnay has built one of the strongest consumer followings of any premium California white wine. Critical reception is solid; some critics view the style as overly rich, but its commercial success is undeniable.
Pairing
Grilled lobster with butter, butter-poached chicken, creamy mushroom risotto