Lu & Oly, Yakima Valley (Columbia Valley, Washington) 2021

 Lu & Oly is Mark Ryan’s second label, named after his daughters.  Mark Ryan is a top producer in Washington’s wine scene and his wines are growing in popularity outside of the region.  This Chardonnay and Viognier blend lives up to the power and quality of Mark Ryan’s mainstream wines.  While these two grapes are not commonly blended, they complement one another nicely.  The Viognier provides nuanced floral components while the Chardonnay builds the wine’s full and creamy structure.  The wine sees stainless steel, new and neutral French oak that supports the fruit and structure without overpowering the fruit’s natural flavors.  At $28, this is a steal and could easily compete against higher priced wines.