10 Santa Barbara Chardonnays

New reviews of diverse whites from Southern California
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Fess Parker's Ashley's cuvée, named after the winery's matriarch, is a spicy, zesty Chardonnay from Sta. Rita Hills. (Rob Brown)

Chardonnay is Santa Barbara's leading variety. The region is divided into six subappellations, allowing for an assortment of microclimates yielding different styles of wines. Many vintners capitalize on the cool climate to create crisp styles that showcase finesse and subtlety. However, some pockets allow for richer styles, like several in this week's selection. Get the scores and tasting notes!

Tasting Highlights' wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors' most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.

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