Columbia Crest Chardonnay Blend Columbia Valley 2009

From the winery, 'Intense aromas of apple and pear lead into hints of melon and creamy butter on the palate in this refined Chardonnay. The lingering finish is a lush balance of wood, carmelized sugar, and fruit.'

Terrific fruit character in a straightforward Chardonnay. An easy-drinking white wine you'll want to keep around by the case.

Admirers of oak-laden Chardonnays will be enthused by Columbia Crest's 1999 Chardonnay Grand Estates. Its sweet, toasty oak aromas lead to a silky-textured, vanilla, apple, and coconut-flavored character. It is well-balanced, fresh, and offers delicious, uncomplicated drinking.

Rich and creamy, a plush mouthful of peach, pear, nutmeg and cream flavors that wind themselves nicely all the way through the generous finish. Inexpensive and more than plentiful. Drink now through 2003.

The Grand Estates lineup from Columbia Crest is always a leader in the Chardonnay and Merlot categories. This offers intense fruit and a decent amount of new oak, bundled into a big, ripe wine with plenty of pineapple/butterscotch power, and enough firm acid to knit it all together.

Grand Estates is Columbia Crest's midpriced offering, and this Chardonnay sees plenty of oak and sur lie aging. Rich, toasted-nut aromas underscore firm apple and pear fruit. The custardy texture is a treat.

Rich and vibrant, beautiful focused to show off its plush honey, spice and smoke-accented pear and apricot flavors. Finish is seductively polished and as smooth as a Jean Arp sculpture. Drink now through 2005.