Gordon Estate 2015 Reserve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $28
There’s a bit hedonism and a lot of fruit behind this reserve Chardonnay from historic Gordon Estate, but there’s not an overabundance of oak. Harvested on Aug. 27 off Kamiak Vineyard, which overlooks the Snake River, it spent almost exactly one year in a barrel program of 40% new French oak. That accounts for a bit of toast in the nose that leads to of aromas of Ambrosia Salad with Mandarin orange, joined by some grassiness. On the lush palate, there’s tremendous roundness accompanied by more tropical flavors, yet there’s balance to the finish with sensations of Granny Smith apple and lemon meringue. It earned a double gold at the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and continues to show beautifully.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 213 cases
Alcohol: 13.9%
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