2017 Wines Chardonnay EGW

Blend of four vineyards: Hyland – Wente clone 108 planted on Jory and Nekia volcanic soils in 1979 at 753 ft in the McMinnville AVA; Bunker Hill – Dijon clone 76 on Nekia volcanic soil at 600 ft in 1995 in the Willamette Valley AVA; Anahata – Dijon clone 95 on Chehulpum sedimentary soil at 490 ft in 2014 in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA; and Chehalem Mountain – Wente clone 72 on Willakenzie sedimentary soil at 400 ft in 2005 in the Willamette Valley AVA. The same ‘black Chardonnay’ method with ageing for 12 months in 20% new French oak, followed by six months in stainless steel on the fine lees. Combination of richness and green-fruit flavours on the nose. Very nicely composed on the palate. Really juicy but complex too! With a light quinine bitterness kick on the finish. This wine has lots more to give but is already a pleasure to drink and I would wager it would improve in a decanter – or glass, if allowed. (JR)

Limpid straw-gold. Vibrant, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of peach nectar, Anjou pear and Meyer lemon carry a bright floral overtone. Juicy and densely packed, displaying a suave interplay of richness and vivacity to the citrus and orchard fruit, honeysuckle, buttered toast and saffron flavors. Picks up smoky lees and vanilla nuances with air and shows excellent clarity and solid thrust on a strikingly long, penetrating finish that echoes the mineral note and betrays no rough edges.

A very complex and powerful chardonnay with ripe-nectarine, lemon and grapefruit aromas, laced with cool, stony notes, as well as flint and attractively restrained oak. The palate has mouthwatering, intense fruit with such attractively concentrated, pithy-grapefruit and white-peach flavors with beautifully wound flesh that pervades the crisp, long and gently toasty finish. Really superb chardonnay. Drink or hold.