House Wine Chardonnay Columbia Valley (3L, 13.5%)

A Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington, aged in French and American oak and sold in a 3-litre box. Launched in 2004 by Charles Smith through The Magnificent Wine Company, it is now produced under Precept Wine & Spirits and draws fruit from vineyards across the Columbia Valley AVA. The oak ageing gives an interplay of tropical fruit and toasted vanilla without overwhelming the varietal character. Creamy apple, ripe citrus, pineapple and nectarine lead the aroma, with toasted marshmallow and vanilla crème. The palate is mouth-filling, with ripe peach, Asian pear, pineapple, gentle oak spice and toasty vanilla. The finish is clean and crisp, with lingering pineapple, fading oak and fresh citrus.