2018 Chardonnay
Willamette Valley AVA
91 Points + Editors' Choice - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
World's Best Chardonnays - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Tasting Note
The wine has aromas and flavors of apple, pear and tropical fruit with a lightly oaked profile and supple texture.
How we make our Chardonnay
Our Willamette Valley Chardonnay is sourced from four local vineyards, hand-picked, and then gently pressed. 33% of the wine is barrel fermented and aged in large French oak barrels for 9 months (35% new). The remaining 67% is fermented in stainless steel tanks. Both portions go through full malo-lactic fermentation to help soften the acidity and provide an elegant texture.
The 2018 Vintage
2018 was a vintage for rich, bold flavors in Willamette Valley wines. Starting hot and dry through the spring and summer, by September rain was a welcome relief. Cooler temperatures during harvest slowed ripening and increased hang-time. With multiple vineyards ripening simultaneously in October, our crew put in long hours at the end of crush. Their hard work has paid off with bold fruit-forward red wines and fresh, stone-fruited white wines that veer into the tropical. 2018 was a warm vintage that ended cool giving us wines with a captivating combination of flavors.