Chardonnay

2017
Chardonnay

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.

Vintages

Labeled Appellation

Columbia Valley

Varietal(s)

100% Chardonnay

Vinification

100% barrel fermented. Aged18 months in 60% new French oak, used French oak and Austrian oak.

Alcohol

14%

Cases Produced

327

Vintage Notes

The 2017 Tenor Chardonnay was crafted from two vineyards along the Royal Slope in the Columbia Valley AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested over several early mornings. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then 100% barrel fermented, stirring weekly for the first 3 months. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to French and Austrian oak barrels (60% new French oak) for 18 months of cellaring. After nearly 50 individual evaluations by our winemaking team, only 327 cases were selected and bottled, without fining or filtration, in the summer of 2019.

Expert Reviews & Scores

Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

91 / 100

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 Reyna 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.

Trade Materials