Linda Donovan bottles more than 40,000 cases for her 20 clients at Pallet Wine Co., in Medford, Ore., but University of California-Davis graduate shows her own personality with this boutique brand. She devotes this Chardonnay to Hoval Vineyard, a young site nearby made with indigenous yeast and whole-cluster pressed. Her barrel program of 30% new French oak spans two years with lees stirring each month. It is unfined, unfiltered and offers rich aromas of butter, Lady Alice apple and toasted coconut. There’s delicious butterscotch on the entry with more toasted coconut that leads to flavors of fresh mango, dried pineapple and baking spices. Enjoy this with pork, grilled salmon or mushrooms.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 200 cases
Alcohol: 13%
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