Monterey’s top Chardonnay
The 33rd Monterey Wine Competition named the 2023 Bernardus Rosella’s Chardonnay “Best of Monterey”—a clear benchmark for servers pitching Monterey Chardonnays. (ediblemontereybay.com) The event drew entries from across California and the Pacific Northwest, with Paso Robles expanding its footprint in the judging lineup. (ediblemontereybay.com)
Monterey Wine Competition director Rich Cook told judges that Monterey-area entries made up roughly 20% of this year’s submissions. (ediblemontereybay.com) Bernardus’s Rosella’s Vineyard Chardonnay (2023) earned a Platinum medal and a 96-point score on the judges’ scale and is listed at about $55 retail. The Rosella’s bottling is a single‑vineyard Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands finished in French oak following Burgundian‑style fermentations, and trade notes show the 2023 vintage at roughly 14.5% alcohol. (bernardus-wine.com) Judges awarded a tie for Best of Show White between Bernardus’s Rosella’s Chardonnay and ZD Wines’ 2024 Chardonnay Reserve (both 96 points; ZD listed at about $85), while ZD’s 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (98 points) helped ZD earn Winery of the Year honors. (ediblemontereybay.com) Coverage noted Paso Robles expanded its footprint in the entry pool this year and that the competition continues to draw submissions from Oregon, the Central Valley, Napa and other Pacific‑Northwest producers. (ediblemontereybay.com) The Monterey International Wine Competition posts full results on its site and will pour award winners at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds Grand Tasting in May, according to the competition’s organizers. (montereywinecompetition.com)
