Best Buy! Tim Jones heads up this young Ste. Michelle Wine Estates program, and this example of Chardonnay shows opulence and richness from start to finish. Most of this fruit comes from Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills, and the fermentation process features 10 months of barrel aging. That helped produce aromas of toasty oak and butter with grilled peach, vanilla bean and asparagus. The fluid is juicy and buttery with apricot and crushed pear, leading to a round finish with a touch of sweetness. Suggested pairings include fresh crab, halibut steaks with lemon and herbs or braised veal with chanterelles and oyster mushrooms.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 13,000 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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