Metropolitan Market 2009 “Selection #3″ White

How many wine months does this state have? Granted, March was “Taste Washington Month,” discreetly differing from its big sister “Washingtone Wine Month” in this blessed 31-day span.

Duh.

For Washington Wine Month (August – duh) I decided to conquer a few things, including a mystery I wanted to unfold.

Side note: this is my 100th bottle I’m reviewing and it falls on a grocery store brand? Hey, no hating. I’m open to all flavors, man, especially ones that sit above a $8 price tag when I’m in serious need of a heat reliever and life is burning a hole in my pocket.

And so – Metropolitan Market, a local, family-owned operation first opened its doors on Queen Anne in 1971 and now has become an award-winning grocery store with six thriving locations throughout the Seattle and Tacoma area.

With the Houghton Store taking Kirkland by storm (sorry to the PPC across the street, you got served), Met Market has received big ups from numerous local publications and recently was awarded best grocery store for the Washington Wine selection by Seattle Magazine’s Reader’s Choice 2010.

Knowing that even their personal customers – who have been coming to some specific locations for decades – love their wine selection, Metropolitan Market stepped it up one by offering their own private label of Washington wine. The wines are nonchalantly yet modestly christened by their color – the “Red” and “White.” The latter was my selection because 80 degrees is f’ing hot for me and I needed some white wine up in here.

The “White” is into its “Selection #3,” as the wine for the 2009 vintage is labeled. Co-fermented and stated to be done so in stainless steel, the “White” is 83% Chardonnay and 17% Viognier – an increasingly popular blend for Washington winemakers it seems.

Tropical fruits of pineapple and peach blow out the nose, fleshy and juicy, with red apple juice, citrus and banana. A toasted hit up front makes me think this booze spent some time in at least some neutral oak.

Even more so when you commit to the wine fully on the palate – light and crisp yet round and creamy. Malolactic fermentation? Aging on the lees? So many options to accomplish the texture… Which unfortunately dwindles after a short burst of pineapple, banana and acid.

The mystery I have uncovered is who makes this. Drumroll please… After some seriously probing of the Oracle (Google), I found out that it is none other than the folks of FMNW2 Wine Company… Aka the powerhouse that is Barnard Griffin Winery. A-ha!

I’m too quick! And for $8, this Chard-Vio was gone too quick… Get it while it’s hot. Literally.

Score: 6.5.