Ken Wright Cellars, Chardonnay 2013, Celilo Vineyard, Columbia River Gorge, Washington

Tasting Note: A full-bodied chardonnay with muscle and vibrant golden fruit.

Medium-intensity gold in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of cantaloupe, golden apple, guava, pineapple, blossom and white peach.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied chardonnay has medium-plus-intensity flavors suggested on the nose along with hints of caramel supported by medium acidity and completing with a medium-plus finish.

The wine is creamy in texture with midpalate complexity and some vanilla notes.

Grown up chardonnay.

Bottle Note: The advancement of quality in any wine region involves identifying those vineyard sites which are consistently superior in character. We believe this vineyard designated wine to be such an example. Celilo Vineyard is located in the Columbia River Gorge near White Salmon, Washington on the south face of Underwood Mountain. The porous shot soil of this sleeping volcano provides excellent drainage and deep rooting of the vines. It lies at an elevation of 1,000 feet and was planted in 1983. The vineyard is owned by the McAndrew family and is managed by Rick and Jody Ensminger. Celilo is named for the historical rapids at the Dalles on the mighty Columbia River which served as an abundant source of salmon for the Native Americans in the region. In their native tongue, “Celilo” meant “echo of falling water” or “sound of water upon rocks.”