John Freeman’s approach to this reserve Chardonnay began before Labor Day with harvests from Canyon Vineyard Ranch in the Yakima Valley and stately Sagemoor Vineyard along the Columbia River. His employment of 30% new French oak and 10% new American oak for 11 months creates classic aromas – lifted a bit by Viognier (5%) – of toast, facial powder, dusty orchard fruit and jasmine. The sense of its reserve style and 80 percent malolactic fermentation is reflected more on the palate, which shows beautiful integration of the fruit and wood in the rounded flavors of baked apple, sweet pear and nutmeg. This rich and golden-hued Chardonnay earned a gold medal at the 2017 Walla Walla Valley Wine Competition, and should be a pleasant pairing with Salmon Steaks with Curried Fennel Wine Sauce.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 2,864 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
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