Wine Press Northwest | Winter 2006/2007

WINE REVIEWS – recent releases

Northwest Cellars
2005 Chardonnay-Viognier
Walla Walla Valley, 325 cases, $15

Bob Delf’s slogan with his custom-label wine business is, “Now it gets personal.” He’s getting more serious, too, evidenced by this 75/25 blend of pricey Walla Walla fruit. Nice lemon, some orange zest, spice and oak form the aromatics. Inside, the structure rides the line between fruit-forward — refreshing citrus — and oak-driven with butterscotch and creaminess. A good dose of late acidity and a touch of pithy bitterness should find fans among either crowd. Try with corn chowder or lobster.