Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Chardonnay 2011

($15): Chateau Ste. Michelle knows its goals and achieves them on a regular basis. When they want to make a top of the line, head spinning wine, they do. When they set their sites on a more modest everyday type of wine, such as this Chardonnay, they also succeed admirably. More restrained than most, it delivers a nice balance of apple-like fruitiness supported by just a hint of creamy citrus notes. I wish more $15 Chardonnays tasted liked this.
88 Michael Apstein Jan 8, 2013