One of the premier producers of Washington Chardonnay, Ashan was built by Chris Gorman, who has now been in the industry for decades. Ashan is a deep and intense style of Chardonnay that is not made for the weary. These wines scream texture and weight — especially in warm vintages. They are also remarkably consistent. As a regional comparison, think Washington meets Sonoma.
For years I have admired wines from the Connor Lee and Cold Creek Vineyards. Both are old-vine plantings of Chardonnay and the Cold Creek was first established by Chateau Ste. Michelle back in the early 1970s. Wines from the Cold Creek and Connor Lee Vineyards seem to thrive both in cooler and warm vintages. I fondly remember the 2015 Cold Creek by Ste. Michelle, which is ripe and unctuous but had a great mineral backbone despite the heat of the vintages. Chris Gorman has crafted his new wines from the warm 2021 vintage — one that saw a very early harvest for Chardonnay. Do not miss out on the gorgeous new 2021 Ashan ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is very ripe and delicious, with serious flavor range. Learn more about these great wines at ashancellars.com and here are my reviews of the brand new 2021 Ashan wines.
2021 Ashan ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay- The 2021 Ashan ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay offers intense peach and apricot flavors with shades of brioche and light flinty tones with a light mineral backbone. This is extremely ripe and will appeal to those who want a bigger style of Washington Chardonnay. Drink 2022-2026- 90
2021 Ashan ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Ripe and intense, the 2021 Ashan ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Chardonnay delivers unctuous orchard and citrus fruits with butterscotch, toasty brioche on the palate. The flavor complexity here is exceedingly good. Finishing very long, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2021 Ashan ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The famed ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ is a historic Washington famed site which was first planted in the 1970s. The palate is ripe and intense with layers of roasted hazelnuts, banana, roasted pineapple and mango. Finishing very long, this has a light salinity that adds to the enjoyment. This is about as close as you can get to Sonoma from this state. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 93