14 Hands Chardonnay

This fruit-driven Chardonnay offers aromas of
freshly sliced apples and pears with a subtle
floral lift. Judicious use of oak enhances
structure and adds a hint of complexity without
disguising the bright fruit flavors typical of
Washington state. Balanced and juicy, this wine
can stand alone as an apertif or partners well
with seafood, chicken or pasta with cream sauce. Keith Kenison, Winemaker

Region Description

Most of the wineries in this state are located east of the Cascade Range, where the climate is desert-like, with hot days and cool nights. The irrigated vineyards produce high yield, but the flavor is nevertheless very good. Traditionally Rieslings have been the most successful here, but currently Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are doing well. Chardonnay is successfully fermented in new oak barrels, yielding distinctively crisp and delicate flavors, like fresh apples. Washington Merlot, with its cherry flavors and aroma, tends to be more full-bodied, moderately tannic and slightly higher in alcohol than its Bordeaux cousins and higher in acidity than those from California. Acreage for the Syrah grape has increased substantially in the past few years, and in Washington it turns into big, dark, intensely concentrated wines with aromas and flavors of blackberries, black currants, roasted coffee and leather. A little-known German grape, Lemberger, does very well here. It produces a fruity but dry red wine in the Beaujolais or Dolcetto style.