Oregon Chardonnay-

WINE TALK
1

Any gots to haves out there?

2

Cameron, Evesham Wood, and Westrey (non reserve)

RT

3

Thanks Richard!

4

I like DDO’s “Arthur” Chardonnay a lot. Not so much oak, nice creaminess, and a good price. The Chehalem INOX has no oak and is clean, crisp, and works well with food.

FWIW, I also enjoy (and drink) the Stoller Chardonnay quite regularly, but they’re clients so I’m not exactly impartial. blush

There’s some good info/background on Oregon Chardonnay at the ORCA website: http://www.oregonchardonnay.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
DF (ITB)

5

Although it would be hard to find right now you should definitely put Crowley on your list of chardonnay producers.

I he is long sold out on his '07, the '08 should come out sometime this summer.

Also, a shout out to Brick House for their chardonnay’s too.

Disclosure: Tyson Crowley is a good friend and I once worked for Brick House.

6

Chehalem’s other Chardonnay - Ian’s Reserve is really good too.

7

Thanks ya’ll. I’m started a thread in the commerce corner if anyone wants to unload a few.
Wink wink nudge nudge…

[berserker.gif]

8

Does Tyson still work for Cameron or has he split off 100%?

RT

9

Hope you’re doing well Dan. That DDO Chard is a nice midway cross-over from Cali to Burg style. I keep hearing good things about the INOX but haven’t tried it since the 04.

RT

10

Seven of Hearts and . . . gasp . . . Domaine Serene’s Cote Sud.

11

My 3 favorite Oregon Chards:

in no particular order

  1. Brickhouse Cascadia
  2. Cameron Abbey Ridge (06 is killer! needs a few years to strut its stuff)
  3. Anderson Family (07 is terrific, and a good value at $25–order from the winery if you are not local).

In general, the natural acidity of the 07 vintage lent itself to quality Chardonnay in the WV. I’m a buyer.

best,

Doug

12

I have enjoyed Shea’s Chardonnay, also DS’s.

Maggie is also making a batch right now! Looking forward to trying it.

13

Who are you…and what did you do with Bob?

RT

14

Tyson’s 100% on his own, according to what he told me at a NYE party.

I’ll add Matello to the conversation. The 2007 Matello Chardonnay is around $18 and is terrific. Seems older oak aged, for more than a year, with great balance and concentration. I think it should last a while but it’s delicious now.

15

Hell has officially frozen over.

16

+1. Ian’s Reserve is my favorite Oregon Chard. I’ve also been grabbing their “best barrel” Chard releases. (As I’ve said, IMHO Chehalem has the best roster of white wines in Oregon.)

Holy Smoke! Though if I was still purchasing from DS, I would recommend. But I’m not. And I don’t.

Bob - what about the Coeurs Blanc? Another that I’ll never buy again, but I thought it was a good (and somewhat interesting) wine.

17

I should strike that. In a temporary moment of insanity I forgot about the whole lawsuit issue. It’s good wine. I just don’t think anyone should buy it.

18

Great news!



I will also agree with Doug on Brick House.

Brick House Cascadia which I think is only made in better vintages (don’t quote me on that, I just know one was not made in 2007), but the 2006 has been one of my favorites. Even the regular Chardonnay bottling at $25ish is nice. I will be loading up on the '08 chards. Pretty excited to try them.

One I am really curious about is the Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay that they sell for $25. Bet its pretty good too. If anyone can verify, please let me know.

I saw Patricia Green has a Chard now called Four Winds. I didn’t think they have made much Chardonnay in the past, but I see it for $20 on their website. Has anyone tried this yet?

I’m sure they have a more out there that are. Good topic though, Oregon Chard is one of my favorites. Quality wines since I’ve been trying them from the 2006 vintage.

19

I really like the 2007 Brick House Chardonnay, and having tasted the 2008s (last I heard no decision had been made on whether to bottle two cuvees or one), I really like them too. Eyrie’s 2008 Chardonnay is excellent as well, but they only made 100 cases and it’s already gone. Cameron Chardonnays, particularly the Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique are fantastic as well, although made in very small quantities.

It’s interesting that Draper clone Chardonnays have done very well in Oregon. In fact three of my five all-time best Oregon Chardonnays were Draper clone bottlings:
1983 Tualatin Vineyards (Draper)
1983 Eyrie (Draper)
1996 Cameron Clos Electrique (Only John knows for sure)
1997 Brick House (Dijon)
2002 Cameron Abbey Ridge (Draper)

I think part of the reason is that the Dijon clone Chardonnay ripens at about the same time as the Pinot, and picking decisions will tend to revolve around the Pinot, rather than Chardonnay. As a result, the Chardonnay is more likely to be picked at the wrong time (too late usually). The Draper Chardonnay ends up being a couple of weeks after the Pinot so it can be harvested at the optimal time. Of course this also means it can get washed out… headbang

20

I definitely have to pile on with the Seven of Hearts and Brickhouse. Great prices too.