Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery 2019 King’s Ransom Chardonnay, Okanagan Falls $50

Okanagan Valley winemaker Benoit Gauthier has the benefit of sourcing this Chardonnay from estate vines with Dijon clones 76 and 95, and the interest and investment in this program includes a barrel program of 100% new French oak. Yet this Chardonnay doesn’t come across as overoaked. Among the fun notes for this wine were fresh churros — the deep-fried Mexican pastry with cinnamon — but there’s also a sense of grassiness, sautéed butter, wind-blown loess and kiwi fruit. Qualifying awards: Great Northwest Invitational (gold), All Canadian Wine Championships (gold)

Rating: Platinum • 92 points

Production: 250 cases

Alcohol: 14%

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