One of the Puget Sound’s best examples of terroir and typicity remains Brent Charnley’s consistently fascinating work with Madeleine Angevine, a cross of Madeleine Royale and Précoce de Malingre that’s home is the cool region of France’s Loire Valley. Charnley farms these grapes on Lopez Island using certified organic methods, and his barrel fermentation program is done with neutral oak. That creates a theme of baked pineapple, grilled peach, Mandarin orange and jasmine blossom with lemongrass and sweet spices. A touch of roundness and sweetness on the midpalate is brightened by a burst of acidity, making this ideal with Kumamoto oysters on the half shell, Dungeness crab, scallops and fresh salads. Look for these wines at the PCC, farmers markets when in season and direct from the winery.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 210 cases
Alcohol: 11%
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