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Wines
of the Week: Cheap Chardonnay
So
many people love Chardonnay and lots of them wish the price
of a drinkable one wasn't as high as it tends to be. Thus, our
tasting panel set out to find some options for $15 or less which
still tasted pretty good. Here's what they were able to discover:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Chateau
St. Michelle 2016 "Indian Wells" Chardonnay
Winery:
Chateau
St. Michelle
Grape(s): 100%
Chardonnay
Region: Columbia Valley, WA
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Elements of pineapples, apricots, and peaches combine
with notes of clove and buttery oak on the nose. A sip
reveals flavors of pineapple, peach, and apricot, accented
by highlights of barrel spice and creamy oak. Approachable
and fairly balanced, it's a nice chardonnay for the price.
Rating: 90 |
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Catchwire
2017 Chardonnay
Winery:
Catchwire
Grape(s): 100%
Chardonnay
Region: California
Year:
2017
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 5-10
Review:
A mix of candied pineapples, white peach, lemon custard,
and buttery oak rises up from a glass. With a sip, flavors
of pineapple, peach, and mango emerge and flow into suggestions
of lemon yogurt and butter. It lives in between creamy
and crisp and isn't bad for under $10.
Rating: 88 |
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Novellum
2016 Chardonnay
Winery:
Novellum
Grape(s): 100%
Chardonnay
Region: France
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Tropical aromas mingle with suggestions of peaches, minerals,
and subtle butter on the nose. Flavors of peach, pineapple,
and apricot burst forth on the palate, backed up by notes
of citrus peal and buttered toast. Rich without being
oaky, this is a lovely Chardonnay for lovers of a livelier
style.
Rating: 90 |
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Steele
2015 Cuvee Chardonnay
Winery:
Steele
Grape(s): 100%
Chardonnay
Region: California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Tropical and citrus fruits meld with expressions of barrel
spice and toasty oak on the nose. On the palate, flavors
of mango, pineapple, and golden apples coalesce among
traces of creamy oak, citrus blossoms, and brown spice.
Far from a butter-bomb, this Chardonnay is fairly lively
with a vivid character.
Rating: 88 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
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