10 Exciting Buttery Chardonnay Bottles: Tasting Notes, Prices (2024)

The full-bodied and delicious buttery Chardonnay gets its classic seductive aroma, butter flavor, and citrus nuances from malolactic fermentation — a step in the winemaking process. 

Explore all about buttery Chardonnay, what makes it buttery, the 10 best bottles to buy in 2024, and serving tips.  

Also, discover the differences between buttery French Chardonnay and buttery California Chardonnay.

What Makes Chardonnay Buttery?

The Chardonnay grape is incredibly versatile and can take up the subtle nuances of the terroir. 

But, the secret of a buttery Chard is the fermentation and barrelling processes. 

To make Chardonnay buttery, the winemaker performs malolactic fermentation. 

It is a fermentation process that softens the acidity of the wine by converting the harsh malic acid into more palatable, softer lactic acid. It reduces the wine’s sharp acid taste and gives it a buttery texture. 

Malolactic fermentation is usually reserved for red wines such as Pinot Noir but white wines like Viognier and Chardonnay benefit dramatically from it. The malic acid has a sharp, green apple taste, while the lactic acid has a strong buttery flavor. 

Interestingly, all oaked or oaky Chardonnays have a buttery flavor.

10 Best Buttery Chardonnay Bottles to Buy in 2024 (Expensive & Budget Options)

Here are the best buttery Chard bottles:

1. 2015 Domaine Leroy Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France
2. 2013 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France
3. 2015 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France
4. 2010 Henri Prudhon & Fils Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignieres, Cote de Beaune, France
5. 1987 Far Niente Winery Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, USA
6. 2013 J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Vineyard Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco, USA
7. 2013 Ferrari-Carano Reserve Chardonnay, Carneros, USA
8. 2014 Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay, Chalk Hill, USA
9. 2018 Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay, Napa Valley, USA
10. 2015 Steele Wines Chardonnay Steele Cuvee, California, USA.

1. 2015 Domaine Leroy Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France ($62,999)

This oaked Chardonnay gives off butterscotch and tangerine aromas with hints of toasted oak. Its high viscosity makes it feel like butter in your mouth. Celebrated wine critic Jeannie Cho Lee gave the vintage an impressive score of 97 points for its incredible opulence and depth of flavors.

2. 2013 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France ($29,746)

This white wine has a rich and buttery body with peach, yellow apple, and apricot flavors. 

A three-bottle lot of the 2013 vintage was sold for $50,883 at a Sotheby’s auction in March 2023.

3. 2015 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France ($21,657)

This incredible California Chardonnay has honey, oak, and orange notes. The nose of this Chard has tropical fruit and truffle aromas. The vintage secured 96 points on Wine Advocate for its exotic tropical flavors and long finish.

4. 2010 Henri Prudhon & Fils Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignieres, Cote de Beaune ($81)

This White Burgundy wine has an earthy flavor with hints of toasted oak and citrus. It has a classic expression of terroir and reflects the traditional winemaking approach of the maker.

5. 1987 Far Niente Winery Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($295)

With Chardonnay as the primary grape, this California classic shows incredible balance and a slight acidity. The nose of this oaked Chardonnay has hints of vanilla, oak, and candied nuts.

6. 2013 J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Vineyard Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco ($30)

This Buttery wine has a dense texture and gives off an apple and citrus aroma. It feels like butter on the palate with a toasty oak finish.

7. 2013 Ferrari-Carano Reserve Chardonnay, Carneros ($40)

A Sonoma Valley creation, this white wine is barreled in neutral oak, which gives it a rich, buttery mouthfeel with hints of creme brulee.

8. 2014 Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay, Chalk Hill ($35)

This 2014 buttery wine provides hints of vanilla and toasted oak. Expect a tropical aroma on the nose.

9. 2018 Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($28)

This 2018 wine is your quintessential California Chardonnay. On the nose, it has vanilla, caramel, and white peach aromas.

10. 2015 Steele Wines Chardonnay Steele Cuvee, California ($22)

This Chardonnay wine has tropical fruit notes with a buttery mouthfeel. The nose opens with a mango and pineapple aroma followed by spice scents from the oak barrels.

This list comprises mostly buttery Californian and French Chardonnays. 

So, what’s the difference between these wines?

Buttery French Chardonnay vs Buttery California Chardonnay

Both France and California produce fine examples of buttery and luscious Chardonnay wine. 

Here’s how they compare with each other:

• In France, Chardonnay is used to make a range of exotic white wines. The finest of them being white Burgundy, a refreshing, medium-bodied unoaked Chardonnay. It is also the dominant grape of sparkling Blanc de Blanc Champagnes and delicious Chablis, Loire Valley, and Cote de Beaune wines.

French Chardonnay is known for its tart, mineral-y taste and lemon and plum aromas.

• In California, Chardonnay is produced in various styles, including oaked, unoaked, sparkling, and still wines. Chardonnay is produced across California in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and Monterey County.

California Chards have a buttery mouthfeel, low-medium acidity with hints of baked apple, vanilla, and toasty oak. 

Overall, be it the buttery wines of Napa or the more opulent wines of Burgundy, there is an exotic Chardonnay for every palate!

Buttery Chardonnay: Serving Tips, Food Pairings, and Storage 

A buttery Chardonnay is best when served slightly chilled, around 50-55°F (10-13°C). This temperature range helps enhance the wine’s flavors and aromas.

These creamy alcoholic beverages pair well with plenty of dishes, making them a perfect drink to lift your spirits. You can pair your buttery Chardonnay with pasta, chicken, and fish. 

Creamy dishes such as soups or saucy seafood also go well with the butter flavors of this wine.

The ideal spot to store your buttery Chardonnays is in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight (and without major temperature variations). You can lay your bottles on their side to moisten the cork and protect the wine from oxidation. 

Add an Exotic Buttery Chardonnay to Your Collection

If you want to relax with a delicious glass of wine on a hot day, a well-rounded buttery Chardonnay is the perfect pocket-friendly wine (as long as you’re over the legal drinking age).

If you’re looking for a Chardonnay for your wine collection, French Chardonnay will be the perfect addition.

If you want to invest in the finest, age-worthy wine bottles for the long term, you should consider buying them through Vinovest. Check out the Vinovest website and start your collection with just a few clicks.