Chardonnay gains strength in Washington wine country

House Wine 2013 Chardonnay, American, $10

Best Buy! Charles Smith created this consumer-minded brand prior to selling his Magnificent Wine Co. to Precept Wine in 2007. Now, it’s winemaker Hal Landvoigt who keeps the focus on the fruit with this Chardonnay, boosting the aromatics and acidity with Sauvignon Blanc (5%) and Riesling (5%). The nose offers gooseberry, lime peel and light straw with tropical hints of cocoa butter, papaya and pineapple. There’s more finesse on the palate as it brings Gala apple, apricot, lime soda and seashells on the entry. Sweet apple butter at the midpoint, a sign of the 0.75% residual sugar, transitions to an easy finish of yellow grapefruit and lemon oil. These wines are sold at Fred Meyer, Publix, Albertsons and Rite Aid, and it’s also available in a 3-liter box at select Total Wine stores.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 2,500 cases

Alcohol: 13.3%

Winery website