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2000 Chardonnay
Seven Springs Vineyard, Dijon Clone Release Date: 2/1/02 Retail Price $: 24.00 Availability: 276 cases Production Notes Seven Springs Vineyard overlooks the fertile Willamette Valley from its position in the hills west of Salem. Growing on a steep southeast slope, the vines are protected from maritime winds by a fold in the hills. The soil is shallow clay over fractured rock at an elevation of 400'. The vineyard was replanted with Dijon clones of Chardonnay which ripen fully in Oregon's cool climate and are picked at the same time as Pinot noir. After whole cluster pressing, the juice is barrel fermented using three yeasts in 42% new French oak barrels. The wine finished malolactic fermentation and was aged sur lees for 14 months. |
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Winemaker Notes
More than a decade ago, it was clear that the future potential for Chardonnay in Oregon would lie in newly available clones from Burgundy-the 'Dijon' clones. As soon as thesd were available in commercial quantities, I contracted with the growers of Seven Springs (now called Anden) Vineyard to replace all of our California clones with the newer plantings. Production began 1998 and as the vines get older, the resulting wines improve.
The Seven Springs Dijon clone Chardonnays have a Puligny-like charactor: sweet fruit and spice with great length. The Freedom Hill Dijon clone Chardonnays are more Mersault-like, darker fruit with a stony minerality and rich textures in the mouth.
Tasting Notes
I first showed this wine at a wine dinner at the Silver Grill in Silverton, Oregon. We matched it with a richly sauced Sturgeon course and the wine was the hit of the night. It has continued to evolve. Lovely peach, pear and tropical fruit in the nose and mouth are complimented by a balanced amount of spicy oak, lovely viscousity, and an incredibly long finish. I am convinced that it represents the best Chardonnay of my career. It posesses great balance, richness, and is an incredible match with food. Drink it now or age up to four more years.