Again, the only store to actually have this beautifully balanced and really amazingly sophisticated Chardonnay now charges $34.99 for it. (Two other stores offer it by the case only at around $23, with a five-day lead time required…which means they don’t actually have it, but will try to get it if you order a case. Good luck.)
But I have to say, for both its sheer quality and flat-out delicious flavors, as well as its truly perfect balance between all the elements that define a top Chardonnay (exquisite aromas, creamy-rich flavors, yet supreme freshness and precision), this puts almost any $35 American Chardonnay to shame.
Goedhart explains just what makes her 2019 Chardonnay so special:
2019 threw a few surprises when it came to the weather! After 2+ months of snow starting in Mid-February, the summer stayed mild. We were a bit behind going into veraison and the ripening period of September, which was a cold month. We traded our usual Indian summer and warm fall for a chilly September and a freeze on October 10th and 11th that hit a lot of areas pretty hard. Luckily with our early pick philosophy and intuition of picking based on avors instead of numbers, it put us ahead of the curve and we had everything in before the freeze. Overall, 2019 is proving to be a cooler Washington state vintage, with wines that are showing a lot of balance and restraint.
Gorgeous rich golden color. Lively blood orange and lush caramel apple, hints of cinnamon, and buttered toast. There is a fun fresh mineral component to this wine, almost like fresh rain on concrete. The palate has a nice linear entry, which leads you into a full and creamy mid-palate. There is churned butter, some fresh citrus and apple flavors with a touch of spice on the finish with just a hint of that blood orange. This is a serious Chardonnay for traditionalists with a very forgiving edge.
Consumers on Vivino agree:
Great balance of buttery chard and fruit, with hints of lemon grass.
Perfect Chardonnay!
Had at the winery. Reminds me of the perfect Chardonnay I had at Charles Smith.
Definitely not California style...I like it!
I predict that this will be our most popular $16.99 Chardonnay – as people all along the Chardonnay spectrum (from Bonhomme white Burgundy fans to Shafer Red Shoulder lovers) are going to love this!
