2017 Tenor Chardonnay

Tenor Chardonnay brings the best of new and old-world winemaking, in order to take advantage of the strengths of Washington’s climate and geography. Our goal is to create a pure and balanced expression of chardonnay as a stand-alone varietal. Like all Tenor wines, this wine is big and opulent, intense and fruit forward, but the oak is well integrated and the acidity delivers freshness and brightness on the palate. Barrel fermenting enables this wine to age gracefully, gaining layers of complexity through 4 to 8 years and possibly longer.

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"Editor's Choice. This wine was 100% barrel fermented and aged 18 months in French and Austrian oak. The first vintage to include fruit from the vineyard La Reya Blanca in the Royal Slope, this wine has aromas offering notes of clarified butter, spice, lemon curd, toast, squash and peach. Full-bodied, opulent, textured stone and tropical fruit flavors are followed by a warm finish that sails. Those looking for a full-bodied, hedonistic, well-executed Chardonnay, look no further."

91 points - Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

Tasting Notes

Lemon curd, white peach, marzipan, light caramel and bloomed nutmeg. Swirling brings some sweetness to the citrus driven fruit with crème brulee and a hint of graham cracker. The palate has enormous volume and silky texture while retaining a precise and polished feel. The finish is pithy and structured.

Scores & Reviews

"Bright yellow. Vibrant orange zest and lemon aromas are accented by dusty herbs. A distinctly firm-edged Chardonnay with terrific energy and grip (close to seven grams per liter of total acidity, according to winemaker Aryn Morell) to its flavors of lemon curd and zest, quince, apple and minerals. Finishes classically dry, bracing and long. I tasted this wine barely a month after it was bottled and I suspect it will expand further with another 6 to 12 months of cellaring. (bottled in late spring of 2019)"
90 points - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

"Stone fruits, crushed citrus, spice, and a kiss of toasty oak all emerge from the 2017 Chardonnay. Medium-bodied, with terrific balance, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish, it's a top effort from this team and well worth seeking out."
90 points - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

Wine Facts

Labeled Appellation:

Columbia Valley

Vineyard(s):

Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Lawrence La Reyna Blanca Vineyard

Varietal Composition:

100% Chardonnay

Vinification:

100% barrel fermented and aged for 18 months in 60% new French oak, used French oak and Austrian oak

Alcohol:

14%

Cases Produced:

327

Drinkability:

Now-2027

Trade Materials

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