Rand Sealey’s Review of Washington Wines – 2019
Since 2010, Henry Smilowicz’s Array Cellars has been producing some fine Chardonnays under the direction of Brian Carter and Robert Takahashi. The three recently released 2014s are impressive, showing superb arrays of flavors. The wines are available for tasting and purchase at Brian Carter Cellars in Woodinville.

2014 Array Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard ($32)
Produced from old vines Wente clone Chardonnay, this shows a brilliant gold color and classic aromas of pear, peach and citrus, pear tree blossoms, lemon verbena and white smoke. The flavors are full bodied (from whole cluster pressing) wirh white fruits that are imbued with pear skin, peach stone and Underwood Mountain volcanic minerals. On the back, the concentration continues with sensations of poire William and pêche liqueurs, vanillin, toast and and crème fraiche (from sur lie aging), followed by a lingering, persistently minerally finish. 19/20 points.

2014 Array Cellars “Dijon Clone” Chardonnay, Yakima Valley ($32)
From the Otis Harlan Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills, this old vine Chardonnay exhibits a brilliant lemon-gold color and attractive aromas of apple, white peach, grapefruit and a hint of star fruit, with scents of apple tree blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria, vanilla bean and whiffs of white incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with notes of grape skin, peach stone and saline minerals. The precision continues on the back with sensations of Calvados and pêche liqueurs and hints of crème fraiche (from barrel fermentation and sur lie aging), marzipan and pain grille and lemon zest, followed by a precise persistently minerally Burgundy-like finish. 19/20 points.

2014 Array Cellars “Nina’s Reserve” Chardonnay, Washington State ($36)
Produced from old vine Dijon clone Chardonnay at the Otis Harlan Vineyard, this displays a brilliant gold color and perfumed aromas of Braeburn apple, white peach, grapefruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria, vanillin and whiffs of oriental white incense. On the palate, the flavors show considerable Burgundian character, with notes of peach stone, grape skin and alluvial minerals. The silky textured back picks up Calvados and pêche liqueurs, grapefruit peel, nougat, and crème fraiche and yeast (from frequent sur lie battonage), followed by a lingering, precise and delineated finish. 19+/20 points.

Celilo Vineyard 2014 – “Creamy.. silky.. ripe… nicely framed. 89 points”

Dijon Clone 2014 – “Complex.. plush.. intriguing.. serious palate presence. 91 points”

Nina’s Reserve 2014 – “Silky.. ripe.. deep….concentrated… powerful. 90+ points”

What others are saying about our wines

“CLEARLY A WINERY TO WATCH” – Steven Tanzer

“EXCELLENT” – Great Northwest Wine

“ONE OF WASHINGTON’S TOP NEW WINERIES” – Seattle Magazine

“TOP 100 WASHINGTON WINES” – Seattle Met Magazine