Ste. Chapelle and Maurine Johnson are standouts
Idaho Statesman – Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman
Ste. Chapelle 2011 Winemaker’s Series Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $10: Ste. Chapelle is Idaho’s oldest and largest winery, and it’s been re-acquired by the Baty family under Precept Wine in Seattle. Maurine Johnson has been with Ste. Chapelle since 1987 and now leads the charge as head winemaker. Notes of honeysuckle, apple, pear and dried pineapple launch this wine, followed by a surprisingly lush fruit bowl of Fuji apple, pineapple, pear and lime. Crisp acidity clears the fruit off the palate.