2023 Beaux Frères Chardonnay Willamette Valley

A bright yellow/silver color, the 2023 Chardonnay Willamette Valley is sourced from three vineyards. It has a refreshing yet ripe feel, with notes of citrus candies, salted apples, fresh flowers, and silky, honeyed citrus. Medium-bodied, it has a lovely, rounded feel and is approachable now, although it should also drink well over the next 6-7 years. Michael Etzel founded Beaux Freres in 1991 in Ribbon Ridge alongside his brother-in-law, Robert Parker. In 2017, Parker and another investor sold their shares, and Michael became a partner with the Champagne and Burgundy house of Maison & Domaines Henriot. Today, Michael’s son Mikey has taken over the wine production and has been joined by Damien Lapuyade as winemaker since 2023. Beaux Frères has also transitioned to producing wines entirely from their estate fruit, which is farmed biodynamically. Readers will find happy homes for the holdings that were not part of the estate they worked with in the past, represented in this report, which don’t fall far from the Etzell family’s sphere of influence.

The 2023 Chardonnay Willamette Valley is impossible to ignore, offering a gorgeous blend of confectionery spices and white flowers, lemon sorbet, Jordan almonds and yellow apples. Opulent textures meld with brisk acidity and tart orchard fruits to create a display of contrasts. The finish is crisp and long, leaving a gentle saline mineral tinge and a hint of sour citrus that refreshes the senses. Remarkably pretty, it displays lovely balance.

So layered, textural, minerally and savory in character. This offers brilliant acidity, lemon zest and chalky minerals with light almond and toast nuances. A slight flinty, reductive aroma adds an enticing edge, then the palate delivers lemon curd, marzipan and hazelnuts that expand on the finish. Drink now or hold.