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Washington Chardonnay remains a big favorite

By on March 20, 2016

Columbia Crest 2013 Grand Estates Unoaked Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $12

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Unoaked Chardonnay NV bottleBest Buy! The Grand Estates program represents more than 800,000 cases at Columbia Crest, and all eight of the recently released wines by Juan Muñoz Oca and his team at Washington’s third-largest winery are remarkable. Harvest began in late September – after the rains that plagued growers on the western slopes of the Cascades – and just a tiny minority of these Chardonnay lots were sent through malolactic fermentation. That treatment creates bright aromas of pineapple, Asian pear, Golden Delicious apple, lemon zest and a mere whiff of yeasty bread from the subtle surlie aging. The drink is quite delicious with flavors focused on Gala apple and lemon, backed by a lush midpalate of pear and melon, then a finish of starfruit and lemon juice. The twist-off closure makes it even more accessible, and suggested pairings range from Tomato & Burrata Salad to aged hard cheeses to seafood influenced by citrus fruit.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 23,000 cases

Alcohol: 13.5%

Winery website

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About Great Northwest Wine

Articles authored by Great Northwest Wine are co-authored by Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.

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