The Idaho wine industry relies heavily on Skyline Vineyard, the state's largest planting at 400 acres. It helps make for aromas of fresh apple cider, lemon custard, pear and a touch of oak. Apple and pear lead the flavors on the entry, backed by a bit of toastiness and butter on the midpalate. Modest acidity and peach pit in the finish make this more food-friendly than many … [Read more...] about Vale Wine Co. 2011 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $16
Idaho
Ste Chapelle 2012 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $13
Best Buy! Longtime winemaker Maurine Johnson relies on fruit from Idaho's Skyline Vineyard for this approachable and balanced Chardonnay. It starts with hints of pear butter on toast with apple, pineapple, jasmine and vanilla extract. The inviting entries brings delicious breadth with Gala apple, pear and lemony qualities. There's roundness in the midpalate that's followed by … [Read more...] about Ste Chapelle 2012 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $13
Sawtooth Winery 2011 Estate Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $15
Best Buy! Idaho native Meredith Smith creates a Chardonnay from Sawtooth and Skyline vineyards that reaches across the aisle and serves both sides of the party well by offering buttery tones with great acidity — courtesy of spending 13 months in 30% new French oak. Its nose carries hints of Golden Delicious apple, apple blossom, vanilla and corn silk. On the attack, think of … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Winery 2011 Estate Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $15
Ste. Chapelle NV Chateau Series Moscato, American, $8
Best Buy! Few folks in the Pacific Northwest do a better job with off-dry and value-minded offering than Idaho's largest wineries. The remarkable aromatics hint at tropical fruit such as mango, papaya and pineapple with spearmint and lime in the background. On the attack, it's a clean, off-dry brunch sipper with fresh papaya, baked peach and canned pineapple. Enjoy this with … [Read more...] about Ste. Chapelle NV Chateau Series Moscato, American, $8
Ste. Chapelle 2012 Chateau Series Riesling, Snake River Valley, $8
Best Buy! The Symms family named their winery for King Louis IX's court chapel, and Ste. Chapelle does indeed rule Idaho when it comes to Riesling production. This quaffer opens with aromas of Honeycrips apple, cotton candy, yellow rose, lemon peel and clove. The stucture takes it toward late harvest with an entry of pineapple, peach and butter rum candy. Its residual sugar … [Read more...] about Ste. Chapelle 2012 Chateau Series Riesling, Snake River Valley, $8