White Wines    Chardonnay    Central Coast    California   
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Date Printed: 5/19/2013
Echelon Chardonnay 2006
Echelon Chardonnay 2006
 (search item no. 93634)

PRICE ON 5/19/2013: $9.79

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2000 Wine Spectator rating: 86 points
1999 Wine Spectator rating: 86 points
1997 Wine Spectator rating: 86 points
1997 The Wine Advocate rating: 86 points

Winemaker's Notes:

 Bright citrus, pineapple and ripe pear notes, developed during the long hangtime vintage, heighten the aromas and flavors of the 2006 Echelon Vineyards Chardonnay. Hints of honeysuckle and spice weave through the enticing fruit expression. The refreshing crispness of Central Coast fruit perfectly balances the rich, creamy flavors from partial malolactic fermentation and sur lie (on the yeast) aging.

Echelon barrel-aged 40% of the wine for 10 months to enhance texture and complexity, and retained the balance in stainless steel for vibrant fruit character. For a little more spiciness, they added a splash of Gewürztraminer.

Explore your favorite pairings for this versatile wine. Grilled chicken breasts, creamy butternut squash soup with fresh ginger, wild mushroom risotto and grilled sea bass are a few of the many possibilities.
My Notes:

About Echelon Vineyards:

 Combining the best fruit from friends’ and neighbors’ vineyards, Echelon produces serious wines for everyday drinking. To obtain this exceptional fruit, Echelon pioneered the development of long-term contracts with growers in emerging regions, including areas within California’s Central Coast and the Clarksburg appellation’s Esperanza Vineyard. Echelon’s winery is located in San Miguel, in the heart of the Central Coast, near many of its vineyard sources. This state-of-the-art facility enables Echelon to take advantage of the latest technology throughout the winemaking process.

Echelon’s superb grapes and gentle winemaking result in fresh, fruit-forward wines. Beautifully balanced and pleasingly complex, these impressive premium wines are easy on the palate and the budget.