2013 Willamette Valley Chardonnay

Our 2013 Willamette Valley Chardonnay is complex with a balance of richness, acidity and brightness, which is representative of what the future of Oregon chardonnay may look like. Still in its infancy, chardonnay from Oregon is defining its style moving away from the traditional oaked versus unoaked definitions. In 2013, our winemaking team aged our chardonnay half in French oak and half in stainless steel. This creates the complexity, backbone and roundness found in our Willamette Valley Chardonnay. This wine expresses notes of honey dew, grapefruit and vanilla. 

VINTAGE HIGHLIGHTS
2013 was the driest year since 1985, which was one of the best years for Pinot Noir at our Sokol Blosser estate. We had a warm 2013 growing season. Spring was warmer than usual, and summer was humid yet dry. Due to our location in the Dundee Hills, we picked earlier than most others in the Willamette Valley and brought in most of our fruit before the big storm at the end of September. 

WINEMAKING
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Handpicked, handsorted and whole cluster pressed
45% barrel-aged in French oak and 55% aged in stainless steel
Sur lies aged for approximately 10 months
12.0% alcohol by volume | 425 cases produced
5-10 year lifespan in a proper cellar

90 points Wine Enthusiast

12.5% ABV