Seattle furniture craftsman Tom Stangeland singles out Bacchus Vineyard along the Columbia River upstream from Pasco, Wash., for his screwcapped Chardonnay, which does spend some time in French oak. That gives it balanced aromas of butterscotch, pear, Gala apple and a hint of salinity. There’s more intensity of fruit on the palate, where it strikes a pleasing balance of pear, apple and toast with a late burst of sweet lemon and peach for a lengthy finish. It toes the line of just enough wood influence that an oak lover would appreciate, but there’s not too much to keep it from pairings with a Caesar salad, Fettucine Alfredo or seafood.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 92 cases
Alcohol: 13.6%
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