HomeWine United States Ridge Vineyards Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2021
Ridge Estate Chardonnay
(77 customer reviews)

Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2021

$64.95
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13.70% /
750ml /
Vintage: 2021
  • WS 94
  • OB 94
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12 bottles
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Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2021 is a beautiful expression of a classic, cool-climate Chardonnay. With this vintage, winemaker Trester Goetting worked to focus on the unique terroir of the Monte Bello vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyard, planted in the late 1940s and situated on fractured limestone, was greatly influenced by the dry and hot summer that celebrated its 2021 vintage.

On the nose, the Ridge Estate Chardonnay showcases strong aromas of tropical fruit such as guava and pineapple, alongside familiar fragrances of toasted marshmallow, lavender, and the soft, sweet aromas of baking spice. On the palate, peach preserves, dried pineapple, and Honeycrisp apple come to life with a touch of salted toffee. The wine offers a vibrant and weighty entry that is balanced with invigorating acidity, which brings complexity and intrigue to this bottle.

This year’s Ridge Estate Chardonnay is powerful yet graceful, an ideal pairing for any occasion. Critic scores of 94 indicate that the 2021 Chardonnay is an opportunity to be savored. Enjoy it now or cellar for six to ten years.

77 reviews for Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2021

  1. Reginald Mcintosh –

    “This wine is reminiscent of a young Montrachet with notes of apple, pear, lemon, lime, creme brulee, and minerality.”

  2. Neal Purdy –

    Buttery and delicious.

  3. John Netterville –

    Young with notes of lemon, stonefruit, and honey. Medium body and acidity with new oak. Can drink now, but best to wait a few years for optimal taste.

  4. Colleen Kim –

    Excellent wine with pale straw color and notes of citrus, vanilla, and salinity on the nose. The palate offers pear, apple, soft citrus, and a hint of spice with good acidity and nice mouthfeel.

  5. Prince Mclaurin –

    Balanced fruit and mineral notes with good acidity. Strong vanilla/butterscotch that will fade as oak integrates.

  6. Holly Smith –

    Rich and severe with apricot fruit and stony edge, firm acidic base and long finish.

  7. Eugene Cleveland –

    Butterscotch, honeysuckle, and cashew on the nose. Bright and lively with a grapefruit or lemony finish.

  8. Kayla Brzezowski –

    Citrusy aroma, tartness followed by creamy texture, leather and mild citrus notes.

  9. Jeremy Winer –

    Pale yellow with lemon, lime, cream, and vanilla aromas. Vibrant acid frame with a long finish.

  10. Rex Beekman –

    Chardonnay mixes California and Burgundy styles with minor oak. Good.

  11. Rose Freeman –

    “Best to wait before opening next bottle as oak settles down for even better taste.”

  12. Jesse Riendeau –

    Crisp medium-bodied with notes of pear, white peaches, and hazelnut. Savory and uplifting.

  13. Lakeisha Holman –

    Concentrated palate with mineral, citrus, and juicy yellow fruit. Not your typical Cali Chardonnay.

  14. James Jimenez –

    Straw and apple flavors with a hint of Brie, but lacks the buttery malolactic texture. High in alcohol.

  15. Jeffery Blumberg –

    Stainless fermented, oak-aged (7% new). Lemon, pear, and honeysuckle aromas with a mild oak tone. Good acidity and minerality. Balanced between stainless and classic California chardonnay.

  16. Patricia Hopkins –

    Delicious Chardonnay with candied fruit notes of lemon, pineapple, and coconut. However, it lacks complexity and remains one-dimensional. High acid, soft, and sustained with loads of ginger spice. Drink now until 2027.

  17. Catherine Curry –

    Color: medium gold, Nose: popcorn note, fruit and minerals emerge after 30 minutes. Palate: high acidity, full body, strong vanilla, toffee, and licorice. Finish: long. Needs a few years to balance. Good with bay area seafood.

  18. Donna Wells –

    I’m sorry, but the existing review you provided does not seem to be related to wine or any kind of review. Please provide a valid review for me to rewrite.

  19. Edna Botello –

    Wine needs time to settle down oakwise. Enjoyable by the pool now, but will improve with complexity in a year or so. Tasted the next day and went downhill. 89+ now, but can be a 91-92 wine later.

  20. Linda Bowers –

    Balanced and mineral-driven, no butter or oak notes.

  21. William Johnson –

    Buttery flavor too strong even after decanting for 2 hours. Quick double decanting helped slightly. Time is key.

  22. Angela Colburn –

    Oak overpowers other notes, needs more time. Double decant and chill for an hour.

  23. Cora Turner –

    Crisp and creamy with notes of green apple, lemon, and vanilla. Finishes with a touch of minerality.

  24. Ted Bradley –

    Full-bodied with aromas of brioche, lemon curd, and stone fruit. Vibrant acidity with a long finish.

  25. Suzie Mcclure –

    Youthful with white grapefruit, gravel, and granny smith. Medium acidity, no oak or butter. Bound up energy like young Meursault. Nice now, higher score with age.

  26. Ira Goza –

    Review: Clear light yellow with hints of silver. Aromas of pear, green apple, white pepper, tangerine, minerals, and oak. Palate has similar flavors with a medium-full body and a long, acidic finish. Scored T9 (possibly an 8).

  27. Peter Jares –

    Oak and toasted Arborio rice on the palate with mild butter and mineral flavor. Good American Chardonnay but not my favorite.

  28. Raymond Barber –

    Review: Aromas of Puligny Montrachet, with barrel influence. Texturally interesting, layered and structured. Good now, will age well. Delicious fruit and creamy finish. 93.

  29. William Owens –

    Replacement bottle from Ridge was much better, with a light hint of burnt match, but more agreeable and flinty. Prefer the flavor profiles of previous vintages, but this was still good with a more austere taste of lemon and minerals.

  30. Mary Myers –

    Deliciously oaked with savory fruit character and juicy acidity. Cold location adds to its charm.

  31. Cruz Mucciolo –

    Rich and oaky, this California Chardonnay is a class act with all the hallmarks of a great wine. Buttery, vanilla, and rich fruit make it a must-try for lovers of big Chardonnays. Score: 93.

  32. Jarrod Badgley –

    Impressive chardonnay with open nose of white citrus, pear, green apple, oak/vanilla, white flowers, and spice. Beautiful texture and long finish. Wait a year or two for the next.

  33. Patricia Gregg –

    Fruitful and acidic with a noticeable oak presence. Minerality overpowers after a day and bitterness dominates later. Did not improve.

  34. Keith Leite –

    Delicate and balanced wine, strong personality. Subtle notes of pomegranate, grass and citrus. Enjoyable now or cellared 1-4 years.

  35. Harold Henderson –

    Ridge Chardonnay: Pale straw color, lemon, pear, and vanilla on the nose. Butterscotch, pear, and lots of vanilla on the palate. Good, but you need to appreciate oak to enjoy it.

  36. Julie Mack –

    Great California chardonnay with balanced oak, citrus, and melon notes. Perfect for oaked chardonnay lovers and worth buying by the case.

  37. Homer Barrett –

    Smoky, tightly wound.

  38. Jason Martin –

    Day three: improving. Slightly sulfuric upon opening. Hold or drink? Hard to resist.

  39. Darlene Mcleod –

    “Unbalanced with overpowering oak and alcohol notes.”

  40. Laurel Lucas –

    Structured acidity with pure notes of citrus and green apples. No oak.

  41. Janet Geiger –

    Ridge Lytton Springs: Full yellow with oak and pineapple notes. Rich feel with good acidity, but too much astringent wood.

  42. Gary Chavez –

    Smoky and nutty chardonnay, good now or later.

  43. Peter Burgess –

    Initial review: “Intense sulfur smell, terrible. After 2 hours, lemon and creamy texture with flavors of lemon, herbs, and mortadella. Dubious for the price and sulfur.”

    Rewritten review: “Intense sulfur smell at first, but after 2 hours in a decanter, lemon and creamy texture with flavors of herbs and mortadella. Pricewise, still dubious due to the sulfur.”

  44. Marjorie Thorell –

    Smooth and pleasant with crisp acidity and flavors of pineapple, apple, and wet stone.

  45. Caitlin Garcia –

    Distinctive smoke and mineral aroma followed by a savory taste. Unique in its own way.

  46. Landon Corey –

    2019 Ridge Estate Chardonnay is a full-bodied and very dry wine with a long, rounded finish. It has notes of oak, Meyer lemon, green apple, and a touch of salinity. The wine has a high alcohol level and medium++ acidity.

  47. Renee Morse –

    Improved taste from winery tasting.

  48. Sondra Carrillo –

    Modern Chardonnay with banana and oak notes. Decant for 6 hours for optimal taste.

  49. Amy Ross –

    Sulphur, toast, and funky notes.

  50. Nathan Hinton –

    Deep wine with honey, butter and melon flavors. Best paired with sharp, acidic appetizers.

  51. John Hoffman –

    Light gold color. Citrus, pineapple, and peach aroma with smokey and flinty notes. Medium-bodied with a touch of oak that is nicely integrated. Really nice.

  52. Willie Mckenzie –

    Flavorful with minerals, lemon citrus and honeydew but overpowered by alcohol and oak.

  53. Karen Courtemanche –

    Wonderful wine, superbly made. Not my preferred style, but I like it. Ridge never disappoints.

  54. Muoi Mckeon –

    Expertly balanced, elegant, and buttery with notes of flint, peach, and apple. Finishes crisply with a well-behaved acidity.

  55. Frances Suddreth –

    Controversial wine. Pale color. Smells like CLR. No fruit. Built to age, not drink. Hold for several years.

  56. Emily Clausen –

    Review: Acidic with good length, but too much toasted, buttered popcorn flavor. Unbalanced. Quality still evident.

  57. John Oshey –

    Crisp and minerally with almond oil, apricot, and honey notes. Goes well with Thai food. Delicious!

  58. Geoffrey Smith –

    Nose: gun powder, vanilla oak, smoke, and citrus. Palate: high acid, smokey citrus fruit with tension. Drinks like a burgundy. 91-92.

  59. Maryann Amedee –

    Improved with cellaring, white flowers, meyer lemon, long finish with scampi and garlic bread.

  60. Nicole Benigni –

    Complex and enjoyable wine, improved score after more bottles. Would rebuy. 2018’s coming soon.

  61. Maribel Pring –

    Mixed reviews. Not recommended for Napa Chardonnay lovers. Finger Lakes similarity noted.

  62. Rodney Kimbrough –

    Californian Chardonnay with fresh stone fruit, green apple, and honey aroma. Toasty, oily, and buttery palate with hints of white blossom. Subtle elegance with less ripeness than expected. Astringent grapefruit notes with evident oak and limited finish. Improved on day two but not magical.

  63. Everett Christenson –

    Aromas of citrus and wet stone with subtle oak. Minimal oak and butter on the palate. Dry, mineral finish. Could benefit from another year of aging.

  64. Stefanie Wingard –

    A refreshing blend of green apple, pineapple, and tropical fruit with a hint of vanilla. The sweetness is unique, but enjoyable. A-

  65. Walter Jackson –

    Paired with ginger salmon at Duke’s Alki with Dad. Tropical fruit nose. Supple palate with fruity, toasty oak notes. Best 2024-2032. Score: 92.

  66. Mason Scott –

    Restrained and elegant with a curious mineral nose dominated by white sesame seed. Moderate acidity with a restrained fruit character and dominant minerality. Nice wine.

  67. Claire Rosales –

    Pale yellow with hints of gold. Forward aroma of peaches, citrus, cream, and oak. Round and full on the palate with a light touch of acid. Medium to long finish, medium alcohol.

  68. Jerry Burger –

    Rich style, but oak is not prominent and a bit bitter, not very good.

  69. Rickey Montgomery –

    Intense barnyard funk at first, followed by clear acidity. After a few hours, it mellows into a perfect background. Best to let it age for a few years.

  70. Mario Sims –

    Tropical fruit, apple, pear, and vanilla flavors with a balanced acidity. A/A-

  71. William Payne –

    A reductive wine with salty popcorn, cumin, and lemon notes. The palate is dominated by salty buttered popcorn and spice, but the mouthfeel and taste feel a bit generic and overdone. Not a good deal at over $80.

  72. Kathleen Stone –

    Ridge chardonnay restores faith with peach stone and spice aroma, plushness with acidic, high-quality oak treatment.

  73. Elizabeth Gallo –

    Night 2: Rich tropical fruit with balanced acidity and subtle grit. Slight sweetness on the aftertaste. Unexpected but impressive.

  74. Julieta Harbison –

    Tight at first, but tasty.

  75. Earl Nunamaker –

    Tight and solid, but not ready.

  76. WS –

    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.

  77. OB –

    Entirely sourced from the Monte Bello Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this was stored in 24% new French oak before bottling. The wine comes from vines that were first planted in the late 1940s that is set on fractured limestone. Toasted hazelnut salted peach, and suggestions of baking spice dusted brioche all hit the nose. The palate is very soft and seamless with ripe stone and tropical fruit flavors. Finishing very long with salty minerals and vanilla cream, this is a beautiful, generous wine to consume now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033.

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Critical Acclaim

WS 94
Wine Spectator
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.
OB 94
Owen Bargreen
Entirely sourced from the Monte Bello Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this was stored in 24% new French oak before bottling. The wine comes from vines that were first planted in the late 1940s that is set on fractured limestone. Toasted hazelnut salted peach, and suggestions of baking spice dusted brioche all hit the nose. The palate is very soft and seamless with ripe stone and tropical fruit flavors. Finishing very long with salty minerals and vanilla cream, this is a beautiful, generous wine to consume now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033.

What does Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2021 taste like?


Light
Bold
Dry
Sweet
Soft
Acidic
Earthy Flavors of the wine

earthy, mushroom, smoke

Oaky Flavors of the wine

oak, tobacco, vanilla

apple, green apple, pear

Aromas and Flavors of Spices in the wine

pepper, licorice, cinnamon

Citrus notes found in the wine

citrus, lemon, lemon zest

cheese, cream, toasted bread

Vegetal notes found in the wine

tomato, grass, straw

raisin, fig, dried fruit

tropical, pineapple, mango

Floral aromas found in the wine

perfume, hibiscus, jasmine

Food Pairing with Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2021

Our wine experts think this Buttery and Complex Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2021 wine would be a match made in heaven with these dishes. Bon appétit!
Mushrooms
Pork
Poultry
https://www.famelounge-ps.com/?attachment_id=101054
Rich fish (salmon, tuna etc)
Vegetarian
vineyard ridge

Ridge Vineyards

ridge vineyards cupertino
ridge vineyards lytton springs
ridge vineyards montebello road cupertino ca
ridge vineyards monte bello
Since it was started in 1962, Ridge Vineyards has led the way in making wine in California, winning praise from around the world for its excellent wines. Located in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains, this winery is known for its many vineyards throughout California. This includes the well-known Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs and the famous Ridge Vineyards Montebello Road Cupertino CA spot. One of the top wines from this winery is the Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, a mix mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon. It perfectly blends the complex taste of Bordeaux wines with the bold fruit flavors known in California. The Monte Bello Ridge Vineyards showcase this exquisite wine as a hallmark, highlighting the depth and elegance this winery is known for. Apart from its acclaimed Monte Bello, Ridge...check our brand Ridge Vineyards
17100 Montebello Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA

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Winemaker of Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2021

geyserville sonoma Winemaker

Trester Goetting

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