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Covey Run 2006 Chardonnay

This is one of the few white wines I have reviewed.

With the lengthening days and warmer temperatures, I'm getting that good old white wine feeling. This is my first of three white wine reviews.

Today I grabbed a bottle of Covey Run 2006 Chardonnay, Quail label, to enjoy with dinner; Mediterranean salad (lettuce, dates, sunflower seeds, feta cheese, oil and vinegar - yes, that is the salad in the picture and one of my plates - I use some of the pottery I make) and Roman style chicken. The wine was priced right and I have fond memories of visiting the former Quail Ridge/Covey Run tasting room, back when they had a public tasting room.

Dinner was excellent! The chicken came out tender and delicious, complemented by the salad and the wine as hoped. This Covey Run Chardonnay is tasty but not over the top. The nose has apple, pear and bread, a soft mouth feel, pleasantly buttery, and finishes with some creamy vanilla (I have to admit that there is more going on in this glass than I can convey. I'm sorely out of practice tasting white wine). All in all, a well balanced dry white. The skilled winemaker blended tank and barrel lots to create this wine and avoided the oak monster. A synthetic cork was used for closure as evidenced in the photo.

If you like Chardonnay, this would be a good choice for you. If you like white wine, this would be a good wine to choose. We can't always drink red wine with our meals. I encourage you to find a bottle and enjoy.

Covey run was founded in 1982. I used to visit the Covey Run Winery when it was called Quail Ridge, located in Zillah, Washington. They were conveniently down the road from Hyatt Vineyards. But that was almost 20 years ago and times have changed. It seems they no longer have a public tasting room. According to their web site their contact address is now in Woodinville, Washington (that's across the lake from Seattle). The winery has changed hands a few times too. Last year they acquired a new winemaker, Kate Michaud. For all the interesting historical details visit MikeL's guide to WA Wineries at,
http://vintners.net/wawine/covey_run/

Covey Run Web: http://www.coveyrun.com/

Cheers!

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