Melanie Krause’s career at Chateau Ste. Michelle trained her to produce both small lots as well as wines of scale, and her work here with Chardonnay is the largest in Idaho by a family-owned producer. It also ranks among the best in the Northwest. She pulls it in from Sawtooth Vineyard and ages 70% of the lot in wood, an eight-month program that includes a fascinating angle with a cask made with black locust. The nose is perfumy with honeysuckle and guava, leading to more tropical flavors. There’s some fleshiness to the midpalate of pineapple that’s capped by lime peel. It earned a gold medal and the award for Best Chardonnay at the 2019 Idaho Wine Competition. Suggested pairings include fries with truffle and Parmesan, potato leek soup or lobster bisque.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 1,000 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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