The steadfast relationship between Conner Lee Vineyard and Nina Buty goes all the way back to the Walla Walla vintner’s inaugural 2000 vintage, and this 2,000-foot elevation site on Radar Hill near Othello stands out in Washington, particularly for its cooler climate that’s ideal for Chardonnay. Complexity began with the two-phase harvest on Sept. 4 and Sept. 19 and continued with fermentation, a blend of 13% new French oak, 15% concrete and 40% malolactic fermentation. Chris Dowsett’s approach creates aromas of honeyed butter on toast with fresh-cut Golden Delicious apple, lemon and steeping jasmine tea. The texture is pleasing from start to finish with flavors of Bosc pear and lemon in front of secondary notes of sweet herbs and crusty sourdough bread for a gentle farewell ideal for steamed mussels.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 380 cases
Alcohol: 14.2%
Subscribe to Thursday’s Wine of the Week newsletter
Leave a Reply