Drumheller Wines 2015 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $12

Best Buy! Ste. Michelle Wine Estates targeted this young bargain brand for sales in restaurants, and winemaker Tim Jones almost immediately began earning acclaim and amassing gold medals for the reds wines. (The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon won best of class at the 2017 Washington State Wine Competition.) And the 2015 Chardonnay shows a lot of style, thanks in part of the grapes that come from the surrounding Horse Heaven Hills where it is made. Named for the Drumheller Channels carved out near Moses Lake by the Ice Age floods, Jones deftly uses a blend of 50/50 blend of stainless steel fermentation and 10 months of oak barrel fermentation to create a charming Chardonnay. Aromas of caramel corn, and butterscotch are matched on the palate, where fruitiness of honeydew melon and lemon create a bright and zippy finish to accompany fresh crab, herb-crusted halibut, veal or wild mushrooms. While these wines are made near the Horse Heaven Hills community of Paterson, there is no tasting room for Drumheller. However, look for them near you with this Find Our Wines search module.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 12,000 cases

Alcohol: 13.5%

Winery website

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