Gärd 2019 Chardonnay

Chardonnay two weeks in a row? Why not! I’ve been researching a deep dive into Chardonnays from Washington, Oregon and California and this beauty from Gärd is one of the standouts. The Lawrence family owns Gärd, and their estate vineyards include eight separate sites in the excellent Royal Slope AVA in north central Washington. They also farm and get grapes from Conner-Lee, which supplied 43% of the blend here. This is a powerful wine, packed with orchard fruits and showing some light spice from barrel aging. It’s got enough acidity to give the mouthfeel a pleasing juiciness, and carries through the finish with a lick of barrel toast. All in all it’s a fine value, and you can check it out in the tasting room on Main Street downtown Walla Walla.

265 cases; 14.1%; $25 (Columbia Valley/Royal Slope)

https://gardvintners.orderport.net/product-details/1157/2019-Chardonnay