Malaga Springs Winery 2012 Chenin Blanc, Washington, $15

Best Buy! This North Central Washington winery does a delicious job with Chenin Blanc, which begins with aromas of lemon merigue pie, Gala apple and candy corn. The expressive and pleasant sipper features flavors of Golden Delicious apple and pear with a core of sweetness (0.6% residual sugar) that rounds out the edges of dried apricot and pineapple. Owner/winemaker Al Mathews suggests serving this with a cheese-and-fruit plate as well as halibut, oysters and salmon. Update: This wine won best of class at the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 90 cases

Alcohol: 13.4%

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