Tasting Notes
delicate, floral ‒ asian pear, lemon ‒ dry, minerally, refreshing ‒ focused ‒ youthful
The Terroir
The sole source of this Chardonnay is Willakia vineyard, on the western side of the eola-amity hills. The vineyard is cooled by winds coming out of the Van Duzer Corridor—the "air-conditioning" pathway through the Coast Range that funnels cool marine air in to the Willamette Valley from the ocean 30 miles to the west. This cooling influence delays ripening and preserves fresh acidity. Our goal for Chardonnay is to achieve a tension between expressive fruit and vibrant acidity, between substance and delicacy. The cool microclimates of the Eola-Amity Hills give us the opportunity to find that delightful balance point.
The Growing Season
The Winter of 2017 brought a deluge of rain and the Spring was cool and wet, delaying bud break and then flowering. the Summer was generally dry and warm, sometimes hot. Critically, the Autumn returned to seasonably cool temps and several cycles of rain recharged the soil and refreshed the vines without causing significant rot issues. we began harvesting in the Willamette Valley on September 28 (Gewurztraminer) and finished with Gamay on October 30, two-to-three weeks later than average. The wines already display a wonderful balance of finesse, definition, generosity and depth, and they will certainly achieve greater subtlety over many years in the cellar.
