2017 00 Wines Chardonnay VGW

Made from a blend of four vineyards. Seven Springs planted with Dijon 96 clone at 480 ft in 2013 in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA on Jory volcanic soils. Von Oesen planted with Dijon 95 clone at 430 ft in 2011 in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA on Jory, Witzel and Ritner volcanic soils. Anahata planted with Dijon 95 clone at 490 ft in 2014 in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA on Chehulpum sedimentary soils. Open Claim planted with Dijon 76 and 95 clones at 420 ft in 2012 in the Willamette Valley AVA on Bellpine sedimentary soils. Made by the ‘black Chardonnay’ method involving pre-press crush with 12 hours of skin contact, heavy long pressing with no sulphites added to the juice in the press pan. No settling before going into barrel. Spontaneous fermentation, no bâtonnage during élevage. 12 months in French oak (20% new) followed by six months in tank on the fine lees. Pale greenish straw colour. Rich, broad nose with a blossomy element. Very complete and ready with great balance and persistence. Finer and a little sweeter than the average white burgundy, leaner and fresher than stereotypical California Chardonnay and a little creamier than a typical Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Sui generis . Chapeau! (JR)

Pale yellow-gold. Highly expressive, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh melon, pear, tangerine and succulent flowers, along with saffron, vanilla and floral nuances that build in the glass. Shows impressive depth as well as liveliness on the palate, offering mineral-accented Meyer lemon, nectarine, Anjou pear and honeydew flavors that pick up a spicy accent on the back half. Emphatically repeats the pear and spice notes on the impressively long, subtly sweet finish, which delivers powerful thrust and a touch of smoky lees.

This offers ripe-pineapple and lime-juice aromas, as well as white peaches and wet stones, in a very expressive mode. The palate has a very smooth core of mellow, cashew nuts and white peaches with some very assertive and dense, fleshy-peach and praline notes to close. Drink or hold.