Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay

Name: Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay
Brand: Rodney Strong Vineyards
SKU: 6a61a0f0b132e7dae708250ef502f470
Price: 8.61 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 89 (99 reviews)

Sonoma County, USA

- Avg Price (ex-tax)
- € 14 / 750ml

3.5 from 52 User Ratings
89 / 100 99 Critic Reviews
Style White - Buttery and Complex
Grape Variety Chardonnay
Food Pairing Mushrooms

- Several important critics have rated this Chalk Hill wine highly.
  
  Critic tasting note: (2022 vintage) "The trend toward lively acidity in Chardonnay continues, and I’m certainly a fan of the shift. This is all about brightness and freshness, and the wine should hold for a couple of years in that state before it starts to mellow. This is a tropical treat that will please a wide range of tasters, and a fine solo glass or seafood accompaniment. 93 Rich Cook" - Wine Review Online
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Highlights

Winery

Rodney Strong Vineyards

43 products ranged between €10 - €118 (Avg. price ex tax)

Region or Appellation

Chalk Hill

Sonoma County / North Coast / California / USA

Grape Variety / Blend

Chardonnay

What does Chardonnay taste like? Despite its global success,...

Style

White Wine

White - Buttery and Complex

Food Pairing

Mushrooms

Mushrooms broadly fit the same matches as roasted vegetables:...

- Several important critics have rated this Chalk Hill wine highly.
- Among the less expensive White wines from Chalk Hill. The price has been stable over the past year.
- - This is the seventh most searched for among this region's wines (by Wine-Searcher users). The popularity of this wine has increased considerably over the past year.

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Details

Analytical Data

Alcohol ABV: 13.5 - 14.5%

Production Attributes

Ownership: Klein family

Awards

(10)

Silver
2025 Award Winners, Wine

2023 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

Critics Challenge Wine Competition

Gold

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Platinum

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

San Diego International Wine Competition

Gold

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

Sommeliers Choice Awards

Straw-gold with fresh peach, apple, and subtle oak, the palate shows ripeness balanced by clean acidity, finishing with a lightly toasty note that adds depth.

Double Gold

2023 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

Sunset International Wine Competition

Creamy with good acid; ripe pear; mouth filling

Gold

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

Monterey International Wine & Spirits Competition

Silver

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2024

Dan Berger's International Wine Competition

Silver

2021 Vintage

Awarded: 2024

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Bronze

2021 Vintage

Awarded: 2024

California State Fair

Gold
2024 Award Winners, Wine

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2024

Critics Challenge Wine Competition

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Suggested Dishes to Pair With This Wine

Roast scallop Starter Course: With red nahm yum; Contains: Thai dressing; Asian

Linguine Main Course: With cuttlefish, gurnard and mussels; Western

Linguine with lobster Main Course: Italian

Spaghetti al nero di seppia con gamberi Main Course: Squid ink pasta with prawns; Italian

Details

Analytical Data

Alcohol ABV: 13.5 - 14.5%

Production Attributes

Ownership: Klein family

Awards

(10)

Silver
2025 Award Winners, Wine

2023 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

Critics Challenge Wine Competition

Gold

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Platinum

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

San Diego International Wine Competition

Gold

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

Sommeliers Choice Awards

Straw-gold with fresh peach, apple, and subtle oak, the palate shows ripeness balanced by clean acidity, finishing with a lightly toasty note that adds depth.

Double Gold

2023 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

Sunset International Wine Competition

Creamy with good acid; ripe pear; mouth filling

Gold

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2025

Monterey International Wine & Spirits Competition

Silver

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2024

Dan Berger's International Wine Competition

Silver

2021 Vintage

Awarded: 2024

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Bronze

2021 Vintage

Awarded: 2024

California State Fair

Gold
2024 Award Winners, Wine

2022 Vintage

Awarded: 2024

Critics Challenge Wine Competition

See more See less

Critics Scores & Reviews

(99)

All vintages

89 / 100

99 scores

95 - 100

90 - 94

85 - 89

80 - 84

75 - 79

0 - 74

93 / 100 Wine Review Online

2022 Vintage Tasted: Feb 2025

The trend toward lively acidity in Chardonnay continues, and I’m certainly a fan of the shift. This is all about brightness and freshness, and the wine should hold for a couple of years in that state before it starts to mellow. This is a tropical treat that will please a wide range of tasters, and a fine solo glass or seafood accompaniment. 93 Rich Cook

About Wine Review Online

91 / 100 Wine Review Online

2021 Vintage Tasted: Jul 2024

Despite perennial campaigns to promote other grape varieties, Chardonnay continues to thrive in the market. Nothing, it seems, beats a big, buttery California Chardonnay. The sensuous combination of ripe tropical fruit and toasty oak is palate-pleasing. In 1965, Sonoma wine pioneer Rodney Strong planted Chardonnay vines in the volcanic ash soils of what is now the Chalk Hill AVA. His foresight paid off and we offer the evidence of the 2021 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay. This wine stands above its price peers with a purity of fruit and depth of flavor that is consistently superior. Layers of ripe apple and pineapple fruit are deftly balanced by vanilla and baking spice nuances from its barrel age. The texture is rich and there is a lift at the finish that makes the wine all the more appealing. (Wayne Belding)

About Wine Review Online

91 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

2021 Vintage Tasted: Apr 2024

This big, plush wine is rich in baked apple, vanilla and cream flavors on a viscous texture. It boasts a full body, lavish oak and butter notes, and a lingering finish.

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91 / 100 Gismondi on Wine

2020 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2024

Rod Strong was the first to plant Chardonnay in what would later be recognized as the Chalk Hill AVA (American Viticultural Area) in 1965, 18 years before the AVA was approved. He thought the region was distinct from the rest of the Russian River Valley for its unique, volcanically derived, chalky white ash soils, and he was right. In 2020, it spent 17 months in French oak, of which 37% was new. Chalk Hill is a Justin Seidenfeld / Greg Morthole production, with both winemakers seeking a transparent wine that speaks to its origins. This label has been evolving for several years now, dropping the oak and heavily wooded notes in favour of more freshness, focused on mineral notes, bright acidity and lees that entertain and pull you into its spicy, creamy textures and Meyer lemon custard, pineapple notes. Food friendly and simply fun to drink. (Anthony Gismondi).

About Gismondi on Wine

90 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

2020 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2023

Lively oak accents like vanilla, coconut and ginger give this rich and ripe-tasting wine a spicy top note, while abundant ripe apples and pears ground it in fruitiness. Simply delicious.

About Wine Enthusiast

89 / 100 Gismondi on Wine

2019 Vintage Tasted: Aug 2023

This a mix of old and new styles led by a spicy, creamy mouthfeel with some Meyer lemon custard tempered by mid-palate acidity, fresh apples, quince, pineapple, and vanilla. Chalk Hill is a Justin Seidenfeld and Greg Morthole production from the respected 2019 vintage in Sonoma. It is aged in French oak (32 percent new) for 14 months. Ready to drink and best with creamy seafood dishes. (Anthony Gismondi).

About Gismondi on Wine

? / 100 James Suckling

2018 Vintage Tasted: Mar 2022

A really delicious chardonnay with green-apple pie, lime, pie-crust and some vanilla character. Full-bodied, yet it remains fresh and focused. Crisp finish. Excellent for the money. Drink or hold.

About James Suckling

90 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

2018 Vintage Tasted: Mar 2022

This wine offers good value and quality, along with a rich, layered touch of buttery creaminess and baking spice. While weighty in feel, it has enough underlying acidity to keep it balanced and fresh. Virginie Boone

About Wine Enthusiast

93 / 100 Wine Review Online

2018 Vintage Tasted: Sep 2021

Long time stalwart winery Rodney Strong has produced this bottle for years now, and its fans are legion for good reason. It’s the whole apple pie in a glass, with the fruit spice and crust all working well together and finishing dry with a bright acidic pop. Good stuff. A Platinum Award winner at the 2021 Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition. (Rich Cook)

About Wine Review Online

88 / 100 Gismondi on Wine

2017 Vintage Tasted: Apr 2021

Rodney Strong first planted Chardonnay vines in Sonoma's Chalk Hill area in 1965, and in 1977 he launched Chalk Hill Chardonnay. Thanks to his efforts. Chalk Hill was designated an official AVA in 1983. The cooling ocean fog and chalky-white volcanic soils seem destined for chardonnay. Barrel fermentation and one year's aging in new and seasoned French oak, with regular bâtonnage, sets the style for this wooded, full-bodied white. Toasty spice frames vanilla, ripe apple, lemon curd, and fine cream, trailing off into sultry nutmeg spicing on the finish. I wish we could see the site, rather than the winemaking. As is, this is a smart example of comfortable and familiar Sonoma chardy. (Treve Ring).

About Gismondi on Wine

90 / 100 Owen Bargreen

2018 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2020

When to drink: 2020 to 2025

This shows good freshness with Meyer lemon cream and minerals on the palate alongside Japanese pear tones. Medium bodied and well-balanced, enjoy over the next five to seven years.

About Owen Bargreen

88 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

2017 Vintage Tasted: Aug 2020

This wine is intensely aromatic in orange blossom and oak, leading to full-bodied and concentrated flavors of pear, apple and brioche. Made in a hearty, accessible style, it leaves the palate tasting of vanilla cream. Virginie Boone

About Wine Enthusiast

94 / 100 Wine Review Online

2017 Vintage Tasted: Mar 2020

Rodney Strong remains committed to the Chalk Hill AVA for Chardonnay, and you’ll know why once you get this glass under your nose. Apple, pear and vanilla aromas draw you in, a dose of oak toast holds you at the rim for a moment, and it all translates well to flavors that have staying power. The acidity is nice and bright for a wine of this weight — always a plus in my book. A Double Gold Award winner at the 2020 Toast of the Coast International Wine Competition. (Rich Cook)

About Wine Review Online

91 / 100 Wine Review Online

2016 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2019

This is a remarkable Chardonnay. It’s rare to find a balanced Chardonnay at this price. Frequently, they’re too fruity or too oaky. This one strikes balance. It’s fruity, but not overdone, with a touch of creamy toasty oak, which, again, is not overdone. Fresh and zesty, it’s easy to recommend at the price. (Michael Apstein)

About Wine Review Online

90 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

2016 Vintage Tasted: Jun 2019

This is a relatively large production and a well-priced wine that shows creamy, lush layers of baked apple and pear. Voluptuous in style, it provides a backbone of balanced acidity. Virginie Boone

About Wine Enthusiast

90 / 100 Gismondi on Wine

2016 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2019

The estate high-end chardonnay program is permeating the breadth of Rodney Strong chardonnays, leading with less obvious oak and fruit, replaced by more texture and complexity. The light, volcanic, white ash soil of the Chalk Hill appellation is at the centre of this story. The style is fresh with bright, juicy, mineral, pear, apple, and Meyer lemon with creamy, mineral, nutty, wet stone undertones. Crab, halibut, mahi-mahi, roasted chicken and brie all work here. 2016 the Chalk Hill Chardonnay is 97 percent barrel fermented in new and seasoned French oak for twelve months with regular lees stirring, and it was bottled at an enjoyable 13.5 percent alcohol. It’s been nearly 55 years since founder Rodney Strong planted Chardonnay in what would later become the Chalk Hill American Viticultural Area (AVA), established officially in 1983. (Anthony Gismondi).

About Gismondi on Wine

? / 100 James Suckling

2016 Vintage Tasted: Oct 2018

This is a more complex and savory style with a neatly delivered palate that has good concentration with some toasty and nutty, savory notes through the finish. Drink now.

About James Suckling

90 / 100 Gismondi on Wine

2015 Vintage Tasted: Feb 2018

The light, volcanic, white ash soil of the Chalk Hills appellation is the story of a chardonnay evolving every year into a first class, delicious drinking wine. The in-house high-end chardonnay program is permeating the entire range beginning with less obvious oak and fruit and more complexity. In this case the nose is fresh, the attack is juicy with mineral, pear/apple, Meyer lemon fruit flavours. The palate is creamy but not overbearing with bits of nectarine and wet stone notes in the finish. Crab or halibut all work here. Less is more and we love the direction of this wine. (Anthony Gismondi).

About Gismondi on Wine

89 / 100 Gismondi on Wine

2014 Vintage Tasted: Nov 2017

Both Treve and I tasted this wine earlier this year but this is a revisit for me eight months down the road. Rodney Strong was the first to plant chardonnay in Sonoma's Chalk Hills in 1965, an area that became its own AVA in 1983. The volcanic, chalky, white ash soils, unique to the area, can be seen in the stream of fine minerality throughout this fuller white. Upfront the barrel ferment, with partial new oak, lays down a honeyed, yellow apple, palate with nectarine, lemon curd and a spicy mineral aftertaste. This wine is in transition from fat to fresh but we think it could all happen quicker. Crab or lobster is the match. (Anthony Gismondi).

About Gismondi on Wine

88 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

2015 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2017

Richly barrel fermented, this wine shares its caramelized toasty oak character with sultry, creamy ripe apple, pear and melon. Lushly layered, it goes spicy on the finish in a dash of piquant nutmeg.

About Wine Enthusiast

90 / 100 Falstaff

2014 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2016

Kräftigeres Gelbgrün, Silberreflexe. Feine gelbe Frucht, zart nach Melone und Pfirsich, ein Hauch von Lindenblättern und Honig. Saftig, weiße Apfelfrucht, angenehme Kräuterwürze, mineralischer Nachhall.

About Falstaff

87 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

2014 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2016

There's a healthy dose of oak cradling the fruit-forwardness of this wine, made entirely from estate vineyards within the Chalk Hill appellation near the winery. Anise and honeyed caramel vie for attention against a rich texture and lemony finish.

About Wine Enthusiast

PRO Jancis Robinson

2013 Vintage Tasted: May 2015

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About Jancis Robinson

91 / 100 Gismondi on Wine

2012 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2015

The light, white ash soils of the Chalk Hills appellation are the secret behind this deliciously crafted chardonnay from Rodney Strong. The winery within a winery program has really amped up the chardonnays, refreshing complex-ing and generally leaning them out at least as much as you can lean out Sonoma chardonnay. The palate opens with an attractive creamy, honeyed, tropical fruit character with a twist of lees. The fruit is a mix of ripe apples, pears, citrus and hazelnuts. Lobster, crab or halibut would all work here. An even slimmer version would be welcomed. (Anthony Gismondi).

About Gismondi on Wine

Where more than 24 Critics scores exist, only the first 24 are displayed.

For completeness we may include critic scores in our aggregation that we do not display.

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User Ratings

(52)

3.5

52 ratings

Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma County, USA

Very Good

Saved: 15-Sep-2022

Very good. Tastes a bit like unoaked!

Good

2000 Vintage Saved: 24-Oct-2020

Had this since 2000 and it held up pretty good.

Very Good

Saved: 13-Mar-2020

The go to Chard. Smooth and buttery without being oily. Very consistent through the years

Good

2014 Vintage Saved: 22-Jun-2017

Very buttery

Very Good

Saved: 22-Feb-2017

Very good. Tastes a bit like unoaked!

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Price History

USA average retail price per 750ml, ex tax EUR € from Dec 2023 to Nov 2025

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Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay Sonoma County, USA

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Number of offers from our merchants from Dec 2023 to Nov 2025

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Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay Sonoma County, USA

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Popularity relative to other wines, spirits and beers , irrespective of vintage, based on the number of searches from Dec 2023 to Nov 2025

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