Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay Review • Reverse Wine Snob

August 26, 2026

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A very nice example of Chardonnay with a buttery edge, we review the Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.

Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast of California. 75% of the wine was aged for 8 months in French oak, 20% new. The other 25% was aged in stainless steel. 100% of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wine has just 2.4 g/L of residual sugar.

Sample submitted for review. The wine has an SRP of $25 and is available for as low as $19.

From the winery:

2024 Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

The Sonoma Coast appellation offers diverse soils and ideal growing conditions for exceptional Chardonnay. Our cuvée blends select lots from four estate vineyards and top growers. These sites benefit from cool Pacific breezes, fog and temperature variations, enhancing the wine’s character.

WINEMAKING PROCESS: Grapes were hand-harvested in the cool early mornings to preserve their fresh flavors and natural acidity. After careful hand sorting, the grapes were whole cluster pressed to avoid extracting bitter tannins from the skins and seeds. The cool, golden-green free-run juice was allowed to settle naturally in tanks for a few days before being transferred to a mix of French oak barrels and stainless steel for fermentation. The wine was then aged sur-lies in a combination of new, one-year and neutral French oak, enhancing its complexity and texture.

TASTING NOTES: This wine shows a rich medium straw color with aromas of stone fruit, apple blossom, honeydew, tropical papaya, and subtle oak spice with hints of caramel and almond brioche. The palate delivers ripe pear, golden apple, and a touch of allspice, balanced by bright acidity, a soft mid-palate, and a lingering barrel-spice finish.

COMPOSITION: 100% CHARDONNAY
FERMENTATION: 100% MALOLACTIC, 75% OAK, 25% TANK
BARREL AGING: AGED FOR 8 MONTHS IN FRENCH OAK, 20% NEW
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2.4 G/L
KEY COOPERS: REMOND, ROUSSEAU, TW BOSWELL
TOTAL ACIDITY: 6.0 G/L
PH: 3.50

14.1% Alcohol

The 2024 Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay opens with an inviting aroma of green apple, pear, citrus and honeydew melon plus touches of baking spice, flowers and butterscotch. It’s a great start.

Tasting the wine reveals similar flavors to the nose with just a bit of a buttery edge. Smooth and juicy with good depth and acidity, this is a really nice example of Chardonnay. It’s both very easy to drink and also has a sneaky complexity to it.

It ends smooth and very long on the lasting finish. We were a bit worried this one would be a butter bomb since it was both oaked and all of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation but it’s not. Instead it’s just smooth and round with nice touches of butteriness and oaky spice. This is quite nice.