Chardonnay, 2014. Pacific Oasis
Appellation: Columbia Valley, Washington
Wine tasting with Paul Kalemkiarian & Ed Masciana
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Our selection is a rarity in that it’s a Chardonnay grown in the Columbia Valley of Washington but produced and bottled in Napa. The process was orchestrated by Bronco Wine Company, which is owned by the Franzia Family, one of the largest wine- producing families in the world.
The Bronco Wine Company was founded in 1973. There is probably no wine-making entity that has grown as much as they have in that short a period of time. Of course, they had help. The three Franzia brothers who founded Bronco had a cousin named Robert Mondavi. Robert wanted to help out the family, so he gave Bronco the exclusive distribution rights to his winery, wherever they had offices. The rest is obviously history.
With that kind of a start, it’s easy to see how their success would be monumental. But credit must also be given to the Franzias for being very savvy businessmen and carefully picking and choosing the best in what they produce and sell.
Washington State has been producing great wines for 40+ years. And the word is finally getting out. Harvests here run a week or two behind California, which means the grapes are on the vine longer and that makes for more flavorful grapes.
And flavor is the operative word here. Because of that extra time, you get more essence of Chardonnay. It begins with the engaging green and red apple in the nose and palate, and develops into soft spices and a touch of grapefruit. Absolutely superb.
