2 | Wine | Chardonnay, United States

This statewide blend stands up well against far more expensive Chardonnays. It's rich and crisp in acidity, with tropical fruit, pear and peach flavors, as well as a generous coating of oak and buttercream. Easy to find, with nearly 11,000 cases produced. Best Buy."

"Cold Creek Chardonnay is typified by concentration and intensity from the 40-year-old vines and warmth of the site. This Chardonnay is a decadent style with ripe fruit and a toasty character. The cooler 2011 vintage in Washington provided enhanced acidity with an elegant finish. The combination of a powerful vineyard in a cooler vintage makes for a very balanced and ageable style of Chardonnay."

"Beautifully integrated tropical flavors such as pineapple, mango, and papaya with citrus notes that explode in your mouth. These flavors delicately intertwine with aromas of vanilla and honey to create depth and balance throughout. A hint of toasted oak rounds out the long, lingering finish."

"This beautiful, hand-harvested effort reveals clean notes of poached pears, honeyed citrus and tropical fruit. Medium-bodied with loads of fruit as well as purity, a beautiful texture, and a subtle note of wood, it will provide plenty of pleasure if consumed over the next year."

"Inviting aromas of citrus, Golden Delicious apple, vanilla, and subtle spice from the toasted oak draw you in. Delicate mineral and lemon-lime are hidden behind star jasmine and honeysuckle notes."

"This lighter style Chardonnay is fresh and vibrant with bright apple and pear aromas coupled with a hint of coconut. Flavors of orchard fruits are accented by nuances of citrus and toasty oak, ending with a juicy, crisp finish. Intended for immediate enjoyment, this Chardonnay captures the varietal intensity indicative of wines from Washington State."

"This brilliant, golden-straw-colored Chardonnay opens with bright and delicate aromas of pears, citrus and what can only be described as apple blossoms, followed by flavors of pear, lemon, toasty coconut and hints of peach, pineapple and cinnamon. Barrel fermentation and aging on the lees contribute a creamy mouthfeel and our hallmark toasty finish. This wine tastes great with poultry, seafood in a lemon-butter sauce, creamy pasta or an onion cream tart." Notes from 2010 vintage.

"Brilliant clear straw in color, this glimmering Chardonnay displays tropical aromas of guava, pineapple, bright nectarine, peach, green apple, and citrus delicately spiced with toasty oak. Supremely balanced and well-defined, this refreshing wine’s nectarine, peach, and lemon flavors are lifted by notes of orange blossoms and a hint of smoke—adding a toasted warm oak character that reveals itself as sweet vanilla, hazelnut, nutmeg, and smoky bacon—before transcending to a delicate, zesty tangerine finish. Enjoy with homemade tagliatelle with spot prawns and lemon thyme butter sauce, seared scallops with goat cheese and summer truffle ravioli, or baked chicken thigh with saffron garlic sauce."