2009 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay

I don't know how many vintages of the Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay I have sampled over the years, but I do know that I don't ever remember a bad one. The 2009 vintage is another excellent example of a good bottle of wine for a good price. Columbia Crest is a secondary label for Chateau Ste. Michelle, out of Washington, but there is nothing secondary about the taste of this Chardonnay.

It opens with a pleasant fruit-filled bouquet of apples and pear, highlighted by the presence of citrus aromas. The taste is abundant with green apple, laced with tropical fruit, and a hint of lime. It has a somewhat buttery and creamy mouth-feel, which translates into a crisp and lively finish, suggesting another sip. The alcohol level is 13.5%, which is almost perfect for Chardonnay.

We enjoyed this delightful wine with a dinner of "Shrimp and Scallops Jamboree", which is a combination of shellfish accompanied by tomatoes, sweet peppers and onions, with garlic, served over a bed of Jasmine rice. What a treat! I liked the wine so much that when I found it on sale at a local retailer, I bought a whole case, which made the "Chardonnay Queen" very happy. Norm's score is 89.

Score: 89

Price: $9 - $12

Norm

WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity