From Chablis to California: A Chardonnay Showcase

This is a pack for the Burgundy lover. It's a fascinating exploration of Chardonnay that opens in the Mâconnais and builds through the Côte de Beaune before culminating in one of Chablis' most coveted Grand Cru vineyards. But this isn't a pack confined to France. Woven between the Burgundian benchmarks are three of the New World's most exciting, terroir-driven producers — from California's Sonoma Coast and Sta. Rita Hills to Oregon's Willamette Valley. These are not the over-oaked, high-alcohol Chardonnays that gave California a bad reputation. Each was selected because its winemaker pursues the same tension, minerality, and restraint that defines great white Burgundy. The pack builds in complexity and prestige from first glass to last, finishing with the 2023 Guy Robin Chablis Grand Cru "Blanchot" Vieilles Vignes — old-vine Chardonnay from one of Chablis' most revered sites and a fitting capstone to the entire journey.

2024 Thévenet & Fils Mâcon-Pierreclos Blanc

Mâconnais, Burgundy, France

Our journey begins in the Mâconnais, the southernmost subregion of Burgundy, known for its accessible, fruit-forward Chardonnays. This bottling from the historic Thévenet family is a perfect introduction to the region's style. Fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel, it is bright, clean, and vibrant, with notes of crisp green apple, lemon pith, and white flowers. It’s the perfect aperitif and a brilliant entry point into the world of white Burgundy.

Pair with: Gougères, fresh goat cheese, or a simple roast chicken.

2023 Stuhlmuller, Estate Chardonnay, Alexander Valley

Sonoma County, California, USA

Our first New World stop is Stuhlmuller Vineyards, a family estate at the northern end of Alexander Valley where the Russian River tempers the valley's warmth and keeps the growing season long and cool. Farmed sustainably and aged for ten months in French oak with only 15% new wood, this is a Chardonnay of genuine restraint and precision. The nose offers Meyer lemon zest, white peach, and a hint of wet stone minerality. On the palate, crisp Fuji apple and toasted almond are underpinned by a subtle, well-integrated oak spice and a clean, saline finish. It is the kind of California Chardonnay that Burgundy lovers reach for — elegant, focused, and built around acidity rather than weight.

Pair with: Seared scallops, roast chicken with lemon butter, or creamy pasta dishes.

2022 Domaine de Montille, Bourgogne "Clos du Château"

Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France

We return to Burgundy for a taste of the Côte de Beaune, the heartland of the region's greatest white wines. This bottling comes from the famed Domaine de Montille, sourced from a walled vineyard (a 'clos') directly in front of the family’s château in Puligny-Montrachet. It is a step up in complexity and structure, with notes of white peach, hazelnut, and a hint of flinty reduction. It is a wine of extraordinary tension and precision, built to age beautifully for years to come.

Pair with: Roasted halibut, veal sweetbreads, or aged Comté cheese.

2023 Deovlet, Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills

Santa Barbara County, California, USA

Winemaker Ryan Deovlet is one of the brightest stars in the Sta. Rita Hills, an appellation defined by its cool maritime climate and limestone soils. His philosophy is explicitly Burgundian, focused on precision and restraint. Sourced from the legendary Zotovich and Sanford & Benedict vineyards, this Chardonnay is fermented with native yeasts and aged in mostly neutral oak. It is a wine of incredible energy and focus, with aromas of white peach and sea spray leading to a palate of lemon, green apple, and crushed stone—a brilliant California analogue to Premier Cru Burgundy.

Pair with: Grilled shrimp, chicken paillard, or a classic Caesar salad.

2021 Hamilton Russell Oregon Maple Grove Chardonnay

Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Our journey continues in Oregon's Willamette Valley, where the legendary South African producer Hamilton Russell applies their Burgundy-inspired philosophy to New World fruit. This single-vineyard bottling is a testament to their skill, showcasing the power and structure that cool-climate Oregon Chardonnay can achieve. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in French oak (a modest portion of which is new), it is rich and layered, with a nose of baked pear and toasted almond, all balanced by a vibrant acidity and a long, complex finish that promises a long life ahead.

Pair with: Roast pork loin, mushroom risotto, or aged Gruyère.

2023 Guy Robin, Chablis Grand Cru "Blanchot" Vieilles Vignes

Chablis, Burgundy, France

Our journey concludes with a true showstopper: a Grand Cru Chablis from old vines in the famed "Blanchot" vineyard. Guy Robin is a master of pure, terroir-driven Chablis, and this is his top bottling. Sourced from vines planted in the 1950s, it is a wine of breathtaking concentration and minerality. The nose is a symphony of crushed oyster shell, wet stone, and lemon zest, with a palate of electric acidity and a finish that lasts for minutes. This is Chardonnay at its most profound and transparent, a testament to the power of great terroir and a fitting finale to our exploration.

Pair with: Lobster with drawn butter, Dover sole meunière, or simply on its own in quiet contemplation.