Silverlake Winery is in Zillah, Washington, in Washington's Rattlesnake Hills appellation. It's a winery particularly I'm interested in because it's the largest Washington consumer-owned (they have shareholders) winery. I've tried and very much liked their Silverlake Gewürtztraminer in the past. Silverlake's Chardonnay is a Washington Chardonnay, for sure. It's more fruit forward, and noticeably less oak and tannin than what I've thus far had in terms of California Chardonnays. This Chardonnay too has a pear-like quality to it, though it's not as buttery-rich as the Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay I reviewed here. This was more delicate, and nuanced in flavor; we had it with chicken and dumplings, and the Chardonnay worked well to bring out the subtleties of the chicken without being overwhelmed or overwhelming.

I noticed that this Chardonnay was sweeter than I'd expected, but not too sweet; sort of a honeysuckle or mead aroma, with overtones of apple and ripe pear, but not as sharply Chardonnay as other Chardonnays. There's a reason for that; it's a mostly Chardonnay blend: 95% Chardonnay, 4% Gewurztraminer, 1% Sauvignon Blanc. That said, I very much doubt that I would have known it wasn't 100% Chardonnay if I hadn't looked at the Silverlake Winery Web page, which also notes that the all the grapes are from the Roza Hills Vineyard, in the Rattlesnake Hills. Nonetheless, it was a lovely addition to the meal, and exceedingly easy to drink, and likely one we'll pickup again. We purchased this at a local Fred Myers for $7.00, on sale. I note that this wine has won a silver medal at the 2008 Tri-Cities Wine Festival, and a bronze at the 2009 BTI - World Value Wine Challenge.