The warmth of the Wahluke Slope produces Chardonnay with an appealing tropical fruit character and rich texture. The Indian Wells Chardonnay delivers ripe tropical pineapple flavors and showcases the luscious opulence of Washington fruit. I like this wine with scallops, scampi or pasta with slightly richer sauces.
A perfect ripening season with full crop yields, and restrained sugar levels led to outstanding wines from Washington state's Columbia Valley in 2008. Delayed slightly by cool spring weather and a moderate summer, harvest began 10 days later than normal. The hot temperatures also resulted in smaller berries with concentrated flavors. Warm weather in August provided ideal ripening conditions for grapes across all varietals and harvest was quickly ramped up in order to obtain fruit at the optimum ripeness.
WS 88 Smooth and fragrant, with tobacco and peach pit overtones to the apple and stone fruit flavors, finishing with polish. Drink now. 50,000 cases made. -HS, Wine Spectator, Score: 88