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WINE WEDNESDAYS: Côte Bonneville 2009 Chardonnay, DuBrul Vineyard
On the southern-facing hillside overlooking the Yakima River sits Côte Bonneville’s estate vineyard, DuBrul. The vineyard has been the home to the specific varieties of the winery’s focus since 1992. Family-run, with the fruit under the law of “vineyard master” Hugh Shiels and wines handcrafted by his daughter Kerry Shiels, the 2009 Côte Bonneville Chardonnay continues in the footsteps of prior celebrated vintages. The nose sings with brioche and buttered toast with hints of Golden Delicious apples, pineapple and a layer of hazelnut. The palate is rich with apple flavors that correspond with the aromas while cantaloupe, baking spices, pineapple upside-down cake and slate provides extra stratum. With 17 months of nursing on the lees in French oak barrels, this wine is full of weight and gracefully lush like an Italian opera singer. It finds its equilibrium with acidity from the promisingly cool Yakima nights to finish out its compelling vibrato.
