Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State's pioneering winery, presents the 2018 Stimson Estate Cellars Chardonnay. This bottling exemplifies the winery's commitment to showcasing the distinctive terroir of the Columbia Valley, where Chardonnay thrives under a unique climatic regime. The region's significant diurnal temperature shifts and extended growing season foster optimal ripeness while preserving crucial acidity. Winemaking for this expression typically involves a judicious balance of stainless steel fermentation and maturation in a mix of new and seasoned oak, often with partial malolactic conversion, to achieve a wine of both fruit purity and textural complexity.
Tasting notes
The 2018 Stimson Estate Chardonnay presents a luminous golden hue. The nose offers an inviting bouquet of ripe orchard fruits—green apple and Bosc pear—intertwined with delicate notes of lemon zest, a whisper of toasted almond, and a subtle hint of vanilla bean derived from its oak maturation. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a refreshing acidity that frames a core of vibrant fruit. Flavours of crisp apple and citrus are complemented by a creamy texture and a nuanced minerality, leading to a clean, persistent finish.