Rich Whites

From its home in France’s Burgundy region to its New World outposts in California, Chile and Argentina, Chardonnay anchors this category of full, ripe, flavorful whites. The grape’s popularity has led producers to drive quality up while keeping prices low. The same instinct toward value is at work in many other regions around the world, yielding an array of rich, juicy whites from diverse varieties such as Gavi’s Cortese grape and Austria’s Grüner Veltliner.

91 $17 Kunde Estate Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma Valley Magnolia Lane 2015 California Perfectly ripe peach, mango and melon flavors are intense and fleshy, with bright acidity and floral and honey details.—MaryAnn Worobiec

91 $20 Viña Errázuriz Chardonnay Aconcagua Coast Max Reserva 2016 Chile Minerally and rich-tasting, with finely crafted flavors of apple, citrus, pear and spice that are supported by fresh acidity.—Kim Marcus

90 $12 Hess Select Chardonnay Monterey County 2015 California Exuberantly spicy, with plenty of cream and tropical notes to the ripe pear, apple compote and dried apricot flavors.—Kim Marcus

90 $15 A.A. Badenhorst Family Chenin Blanc Swartland Secateurs 2016 South Africa Brightly defined, with quince, persimmon and green almond notes forming the core, threaded with quinine and white ginger details.—James Molesworth

90 $20 Collemassari Vermentino Montecucco Melacce 2016 Italy A ripe, round style, this white boasts peach, melon and mineral flavors, with fine intensity and balance, finishing long and satisfying.—Bruce Sanderson

90 $20 La Crema Chardonnay Monterey 2015 California This balanced and fruity white shows juicy apricot, pear and guava flavors, with hints of spice. Creamy notes linger on the pastry-filled finish.—Kim Marcus

90 $20 Yalumba Viognier Eden Valley 2016 Australia Peach, rose petal and marmalade flavors, drizzled with honey and spice. A juiciness lingers on the finish.—MaryAnn Worobiec

89 $12 Forstreiter Grüner Veltliner Qualitätswein Trocken Niederösterreich Grooner 2015 Austria A juicy white, with apricot, peach, thyme and white pepper flavors. Vibrant and balanced in an easygoing way.—Bruce Sanderson

89 $12 Los Haroldos Chardonnay Mendoza 2015 Argentina This version is loaded with white peach and pear flavors that are crisp and fresh-tasting, with a seductive spiciness and rich minerality on the lilting finish.—Kim Marcus

89 $12 Sauvion & Fils Vouvray 2016 France Enticing, with a plump hint to the racy green apple, pear and quince flavors. A light honeysuckle note adds charm on the finish.—James Molesworth

89 $14 The Seeker Chardonnay California 2015 California Lushly fruity, with juicy flavors of tangerine, pear tart, white plum and cherry, accented by notes of sugar snap pea.—Kim Marcus

89 $19 Barberani Orvieto Classico Superiore Castagnolo 2015 Italy A creamy white, this offers a subtle mix of pear tart, spring blossom and blanched almond notes. Grechetto.—Alison Napjus

89 $19 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône White 2015 France A ripe white, with ginger, yellow apple and white peach flavors. Shows more weight than is typical, yet stays fresh. Viognier blend.—James Molesworth

88 $11 Duorum Douro Tons White 2016 Portugal A floral-tinged white backed with peach, kumquat and melon notes, accented by spice and mineral underpinnings.—Gillian Sciaretta

88 $11 Viñedos Emiliana Chardonnay Bío Bío Valley Natura Un-Oaked 2016 Chile Honeysuckle and snap pea notes enliven the apple, citrus and gooseberry flavors, with creamy details.—Kim Marcus

88 $12 Herdade do Esporão Alentejo Monte Velho White 2016 Portugal Shows peach and apple flavors, with refreshing, savory undertones of melon rind, spice and herb.—Gillian Sciaretta

88 $14 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon White Les Vignes de Bila-Haut 2015 France Lithe and fresh, with pear, peach and apple skin flavors that show accents of crunchy herb, white pepper and mineral. Grenache Blanc blend.—Gillian Sciaretta

88 $16 Banfi Gavi Principessa Gavia 2015 Italy A rich, buttery style, boasting peach, apple and almond flavors. Though balanced on the soft side, this finishes with ample zip.—Bruce Sanderson

88 $16 Joseph Drouhin Mâcon-Villages 2015 France Round and juicy, this white is elegant and open, evoking aromas and flavors of apple, peach and lemon, with a moderate finish.—Bruce Sanderson

88 $18 Louis Jadot Bourgogne White 2015 France Vanilla and toast flavors highlight the apple and lemon core in this rich white, which is balanced and easygoing.—Bruce Sanderson