Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay

Description

”Tasting Notes The Columbia Valley Chardonnay is a pleasurable, food-friendly Chardonnay. It is crafted in a fresh, soft style with bright apple and sweet citrus fruit character with subtle spice and oak nuances. We blend Chardonnay grapes from vineyards throughout Washingtons Columbia Valley to make this a complex, interesting wine. The sur lie aging gives it an appealing richness. – Bob Bertheau, Head WinemakerVintageThe 2015 vintage was one of the warmest growing seasons on record in Washington state.Warm temperatures continued through the spring and summer, moderating slightly into fall and extending an early harvest.Overall, 2015 saw optimal ripening across varieties and yielded outstanding wines throughout the region.VineyardsColumbia Valley vineyards lie in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains and receive just 6-8 inches of rainfall annually.Warm, sunny days and cool evenings create ideal conditions for aroma and flavor development in the ripening grapes.A northerly latitude gives the Columbia Valley roughly two more hours of sunlight daily during the peak-growing season than California, increasing the regions ability to ripen fruit.WinemakingThe Columbia Valley blend is made from multiple vineyard lots resulting in a complex, layered Chardonnay.Malolactic fermentation follows yeast fermentation for added richness and complexity.46% tank fermented Chardonnay was added to the blend to make a fresh style of Chardonnay.Sur lie aged for more than six months in a mix of French and American oak barrels 12% new with regular stirring to soften the wine and integrate fruit and oak flavors.Food Pairing Foods Crab, poultry, salmon, scallops.Herbs Ginger, lemon zest, tarragon, thyme.” – Chateau Ste. Michelle