For the 2023 vintage of Rombauer Vineyards Proprietor Selection Chardonnay, the major professional critics were very positive, with scores clustering between 90 and 94 points.
| Critic |
Score |
Key Comments |
| James Suckling |
94 |
Reserve-style Chardonnay from the winery's best barrels; notes of poached pear, vanilla bean, green apple skin, minerality, and spice. |
| Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
94 |
Toasty but refined, with pineapple, white peach, crushed stone, and a creamy, mouthwatering finish. |
| Wine Spectator |
93 |
Juicy and plump, showing pineapple, peach, apricot, marmalade, lemon curd, and lingering orange blossom notes. |
| Vinous |
90 |
Rich and weighty, but balanced by bright acidity and saline minerality; praised for texture and freshness. |
Winemaker's Profile
According to the winery, the 2023 Proprietor Selection is the pinnacle of the Rombauer Chardonnay portfolio, assembled from the best barrels selected by the winemaking team. The official tasting profile highlights nectarine, peach, lime, grapefruit, honeysuckle, candied ginger, chamomile, creamy texture, and vibrant acidity. Head winemaker Richie Allen reportedly considers it among the finest Chardonnays he has produced during his tenure.
Professional Consensus
The critics broadly agree on several characteristics:
- Rich, full-bodied California Chardonnay style.
- Significant oak influence, though generally integrated rather than overwhelming.
- Ripe stone-fruit character (peach, nectarine, pineapple).
- Creamy texture balanced by notable acidity.
- Strong aging potential compared with the standard Rombauer Chardonnay.
Context Within the Rombauer Lineup
The Proprietor Selection substantially outperformed the regular 2023 Rombauer Chardonnay, which received:
- 91 points from James Suckling
- 90 points from Wine Advocate
- 90 points from Wine Spectator
A 93–94 point consensus from multiple major critics places the 2023 Proprietor Selection among the strongest California Chardonnays of the vintage. The score spread (90–94) suggests that reviewers who favor richer, oak-aged Chardonnay styles were especially enthusiastic, while critics emphasizing tension and restraint were somewhat more reserved.
Juicy and plump, offering pineapple, peach and apricot flavors alongside generous and fleshy notes of marmalade and lemon curd. A distinctive orange detail comes in on the finish, with orange blossom and candied orange peel hints lingering on the long, fresh finish. Drink now. 3,756 cases made.
A classic, reserve-style wine made from the best barrels in the Rombauer cellar. It shows good tension in the texture, is barrel fermented and then aged in a combination of French and American oak. A blend of fruit from both the Napa and Sonoma sides of Carneros, Lush in poached pears, vanilla bean and green apple skin, with tension, minerality and spicy accents in the finish. Drink or hold.
