Reserve Chardonnay
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed within 3 to 8 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted chicken, creamy mushroom risotto, seared scallops
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Columbia Crest's Reserve Chardonnay represents the pinnacle of the winery's white winemaking, showcasing the unique terroir of the Columbia Valley, particularly the wind-swept, sun-drenched vineyards of the Horse Heaven Hills. Historically, Washington State's dramatic diurnal temperature shifts allow Chardonnay grapes to develop rich, ripe tropical fruit flavors while retaining a vibrant, crisp acidity. This Reserve bottling is crafted using traditional Burgundian techniques, including barrel fermentation in French oak, extensive sur lie aging with regular stirring to build a creamy, luxurious texture, and malolactic fermentation. The result is a sophisticated, layered expression that balances rich buttery notes with bright, structured fruit, standing as a testament to the vision of Washington wine pioneers who proved the region could produce world-class white wines.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1983 in Paterson, Washington, along the banks of the Columbia River, Columbia Crest is one of the Pacific Northwest's most significant and celebrated wineries. Owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the winery operates a state-of-the-art facility in the Columbia Valley, combining modern gravity-flow techniques with traditional oak barrel aging. Columbia Crest is renowned for delivering exceptional quality and value, showcasing the region's unique terroir through its Grand Estates, H3, and Two Vines series. Their signature expressions include robust Cabernet Sauvignon, velvety Merlot, and the prestigious Walter Clore Private Reserve, which honors the pioneer of Washington viticulture. This dedication to craft has cemented their reputation as a benchmark producer of Washington State wine on the global stage.