The Handley Cellars 2005 Chardonnay is an elegant wine with nicely balanced flavors representing the bright fruit flavors of their Dry Creek Valley vineyard. Rated an impressive 91 Points by Wine & Spirits and the recipient of excellent 4 Stars by Restaurant Wine magazine, it’s easy to see why Handley has been known for their remarkable Chardonnays. This 2005 vintage is light yellow in color and opens with a refreshingly crispy granny smith apple bouquet with hints of peaches, oranges, pears, and roasted nuts. On the palate, this round and full-bodied Chardonnay is extremely well balanced, creamy, and soft textured with buoyant flavors of vanilla, pear, melon and toasty oak with hints of spice. Winemakers Milla Handley and Kristen Barnhisel allowed the wine to undergo partial malolactic fermentation in order to enhance the orange cream, cocoa and melon flavors that are characteristic of Dry Creek Chardonnays.