One of the Northwest’s leaders for work with whites from cool-climate sites, Chris Dowsett creates a complex and fascinating Chardonnay from historic Conner Lee Vineyard near the Columbia Basin town of Othello, Wash. By blending lots fermented in predominantly neutral French oak with nearly equal amounts that spent time in concrete, Dowsett showcases fruity aromas of Granny Smith apple and lemon with jasmine. Inside, there’s impeccable balance to the flavors of white peach, Bosc pear and starfruit, backed by toasted almond and capped by lingering lemony acidity. It’s quite an achievement consider this was a record-setting warm vintage, and Dowsett showed precision with his three picks from two blocks in a 10-day window that closed Sept. 7.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 330 cases
Alcohol: 13.8%
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