San Francisco Chronicle:  "Much bargain Washington Chardonnay takes a no-frills tack, but Columbia Crest has succeeded over time by delivering a classic Chard package: no shortage of oak, but lots of lively fruit and a tartly creamy profile.  The flavors are an appealing mix of lemon rind, nutmeg, toasted corn, melon and almond." - Jon Bonne,  Feb 2011  

Winery:  "Aromas of poached pear, caramel apple, spice and a hint of blossoms precede a mouthful of bright fruit, reminiscent of a fresh Gala apple. The refined flavors of this crisp Chardonnay end with a gracefully lingering finish of cream and butter nuances." - Ray Einberger, Winemaker

Wired For Wine:   The weekend is going to get warm, so we can think of nothing better than this lively, buttery Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay.  Bring out its lovely oak as you savor your first cool glass with smoked bluefish dip scooped up with toasted pita pieces.  Moving on, the white fruits, touch of citrus, hint of toasted corn and nut, combined with the great oak, make this Grand Estates Chardonnay perfect for chicken and just about anything from the sea.  A favorite crowd pleaser of ours is steamed clams and lobster with shallot butter, corn, sausages and potatoes.  What's not to like??  Grilled chicken with creamy grits and shiitake mushroom sauce is another delicious option.  The creamy finish of this Washington white will go seamlessly with a big bowl of taglierini pasta with caramelized scallops and a rosemary tomato cream sauce.  At this price, you should have at least another bottle or two on ice for the last course.  Our choice is a young Brie with a sliced, warm baguette.  What are you waiting for winelovers??  Get your summer ON!

Size:  750ml, cork
Varietal:   100% Chardonnay
Alcohol:  13.5%
Ageing:   7 months a combination of new and one to three-year-old American and French oak barrels. 30% of the blend was stainless steel fermented to increase varietal aromas and enhance the wine’s overall bouquet.
Region:    Columbia Valley, Washington