🥂 Blind Chardonnay Wine Tasting Summary (Whole Foods, CA Wines, $3.99–$17.99)

🍇 Featured Varietal: Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most versatile white wines. Unoaked styles are crisp and lean, showcasing green apple, citrus, and mineral notes. Oaked Chardonnays — especially from warmer California climates — feature richer textures with notes of vanilla, butter, toast, melon, and tropical fruits. California Chardonnays often fall in between, blending ripe fruit with creamy oak influences. This tasting spanned various styles — even a $3.99 wildcard!

🍷 Wine Descriptions

🅰️ Wine 1: Butter Chardonnay by Jam Cellars

Price: $17.99
Region: Lodi, California 🇺🇸
Tasting Notes: Darkest in color, rich aroma of vanilla and spice, complex and full-bodied with hints of melon, mango, and a smooth buttery texture. Long, pleasant finish. Surprisingly not overly buttery despite the name.
Lynn’s Score: 16
Scott’s Score: 16
🏆 Winner – Total Score: 32
✅ Both would buy again (party-worthy)

🅱️ Wine 2: Simi Chardonnay

Price: $15.99
Year: 2023
Region: Ocampo, California 🇺🇸
Tasting Notes: Light color, crisp and clean with green apple notes, subtle buttery finish. Refreshing and bright.
Lynn’s Score: 16
Scott’s Score: 12
Total Score: 28
✅ Would both buy again
- Lynn: for a party
- Scott: at home

🅲️ Wine 3: Josh Cellars Chardonnay

Price: $11.49
Year: 2023
Region: Hopland, California 🇺🇸
Tasting Notes: Very light in color, apple and melon on the nose, mild floral bouquet, easy drinking, crisp and simple with subtle flavors.
Lynn’s Score: 16
Scott’s Score: 13
🤝 Tied 2nd – Total Score: 29
✅ Would both buy again
- Lynn: for a party
- Scott: at home

🅳 Wine 4: Three Wishes Chardonnay

Price: $3.99
Region: Livermore & Ripon, California 🇺🇸
Tasting Notes: Extremely pale and light-bodied, fruity with peach and melon notes, semi-sweet and refreshing — almost Moscato-like. Ideal for a hot day.
Lynn’s Score: 16
Scott’s Score: 13
🤝 Tied 2nd – Total Score: 29
✅ Would both buy again
- Lynn: for a party
- Scott: at home

🏆 Wine of the Night: Butter Chardonnay – Jam Cellars

Why it won:

Most complex and full-bodied
Balanced acidity and smooth finish
Great for entertaining 🍾
And a surprise hit — buttery in name but not overpowering in taste 😲

Tasting: Whole Foods Chardonnay from California