Jaine, Columbia Valley (Washington) Chardonnay 2020

 Jaine is an Otis Family project focused on creating outstanding Washington wines using sustainable practices.  Jaine’s winemaker, Ali Mayfield, is especially focused on end-to-end sustainability and partners with wineries that share her values.  While most of Jaine’s wines are single vineyard, this delicious stainless-steel fermented Chardonnay is the best of their single-vineyard selected wineries.  The absence of oak use highlights the Chardonnay’s crisp melon, pear, and white peach fruit notes but, more importantly, shows a subtle minerality that would otherwise be hidden by a more oxidative winemaking choice.  It is refreshing to enjoy sustainably-made wines that refuse to skimp on quality.