2016 ANVIL Chardonnay

In the vineyard

The South-facing, lower elevation of French Creek Vineyard, combined with a consistent westerly wind through the Yakima Valley, cools the vines in the evening, allowing the fruit to maintain natural freshness and acidity. The soil is mostly silt loam with occasional spots of clay, caliche, basalt, and river rock. Older vines like these, have deep roots and self-regulate which provides consistency year-after-year and deeper, more complex flavors.

With such excellent drainage, the warm Eastern Washington Summer sun, and light annual rainfall (6”- 8”), this is one of our earliest ripening sites and we harvest to retain freshness, lively flavors, and acidity to complement the power and richness imparted by old vines.

In the cellar

A nod to French tradition, we aged this Chardonnay for 17 months in 50% new French oak, and 50% 1-year oak from Burgundian coopers.

In the glass

A full-bodied, layered wine, of great balance and complexity.

NOSE: Chardonnay fruit that stands out on its own and greatly benefits from judicious oak aging. Even though there is more oak influence, it doesn’t overpower the wine

MOUTH: crisp and fresh with lively flavors and acidity

FOOD & WINE PAIRING: Asian cuisine, crab cakes with pickled ginger or lobster