2016 Abeja Chardonnay

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Abeja, 11/18/2018

  (Abeja Chardonnay) Hello friends. We have the new vintage today of a benchmark Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s the ninth vintage in a row that we’ve offered—our first was the 2007, way back in May 2010—and 2018 wouldn’t feel complete without access to this wine:Another benchmark bottling of one of Washington’s most notable grapes. Abeja has long been producing some of the best Chardonnay in the state, and Dan and Amy have continued this tradition in 2016. The fruit is sourced entirely from three famed white wine vineyards: Connor Lee, Celilo, and Abeja’s own Mill Creek Estate. It spent nine months in 100% French oak, 40% new, and clocks in at 14.1% alcohol. The nose is chock full of lemon cream, citrus rind, green apple, peach, and florals. The palate is wonderfully balanced—bright with acid but fully leaning into its medium body with delightful nutty tones. Its viscosity is decadent, its vibrancy astonishing. Seattle Magazine Wine Awards: Best Chardonnay, More than $40; “Abeja Chardonnay has long been a benchmark white wine for Washington, and Walla Walla-based Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler keep the tradition going with this gorgeous vintage, drawn from a trio of vineyards scattered across the state: Celilo, Conner Lee and Abeja’s own estate Mill Creek Vineyard. Barrel tones of toast and nutty oak (this was aged for nine months in French oak, 40 percent new) swaddle a core of densely-packed apple and nectarine fruit. The seamless texture is seductive as can be. Pairs With: Black cod with lemon aioli.”