2016 Bernardus Winery Chardonnay Monterey County

California’s Best Bargain White

As far as $20 Chardonnays from California go, there’s no other way to say it: In the hands of Dean De Korth, no one does it better. Lovers of round, elegant, and full-bodied California Chardonnay, this bottle is for you.

Since Bernardus Winery opened the first tasting room in Carmel Valley Village, Monterey residents have watched their region stake its claim as perhaps the finest spot in California for Burgundy varieties—all thanks to winemaker Dean De Korth and owner Ben Pon. A Wine Enthusiast “Editor’s Choice,” today is a chance at the Monterey Chardonnay every sommelier is clamoring for—$28 at the winery tasting room. 

The visionary De Korth is a brilliant classicist, and his wines are studies in textural, rich, California classics. The 2016 vintage in particular, with its low yield of tiny, intense berries, made for a Chardonnay that is powerful, luxurious, and beautifully balanced across the palate, showing offfine layers of citrus peel, apricot, and creme brulée, which segue to a long finish of baking spices and caramel.

De Korth hasn’t had to tinker much with the Monterey County Chardonnay formula over the years—his signature Bernardus bottlings have stood fast as the Central Coast’s most quintessential expressions. In 2016, a moderate, generous growing season made for berries packed with intensity, hand-picked by the Bernardus team.

As we tasted De Korth’s 2016 lineup, he told us that the vintage took him back to the golden-hued, lemon-curd bottles he encountered working in the cellars at Place des Marronniers in Puligny-Montrachet and 5 Rue Pierre Joigneaux in Meursault. Inspired by Burgundy but true to its coastal American terroir, this is the California Chardonnay no white wine drinker should pass up.

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Sweetness
• Acidity

• ABV 13.00%
• Enjoy right away
• Drink Up
• % Chardonnay
• Serving temperature – 50°
• Stelvin