Duck Pond Cellars 2012 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $12
The Fries family recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in the Oregon wine industry, but this consumer-minded Chardonnay from their Wahluke Slope estate vineyards brings some of the best of both worlds with its use of 29% barrel fermentation and full malolactic fermentation. That creates a complex nose of caramel apple, pineapple preserves on toast and backed by jasmine and fresh-cut celery. Think of apple, pear and butterscotch flavors with clean acidity and a bit of apple-peel bitterness in the finish.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 5,000 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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