Wine Reviews

This special Willamette Valley Wine Auction wine from winemaker Bryan Weil was grown on Ambar’s Writer’s Block, where Chardonnay clone 548 is planted in Jory soils (the site is Oregon’s first Regenerative Organic Certified vineyard, as per Ambar). Harvested on Sept. 15, 2024, it’s got a nose of baked golden apple, lemon curd, with a slight reductive note and a peppery zip. Nice medium body, showing loads of citrus, green apple, and a racy backbone of acidity that lasts through a lingering, lively finish. A hint of vanilla and toast on the back end as well. This is a gorgeous Chardonnay that should have a generous 10+ year drinking window. Wow.

This blend of Dijon clones 76 and 96 comes from winemakers Alexis Harrington and Randy Freund. A barrel selection of Chardonnay crafted from blocks across the Eola-Amity Hills, it was harvested on Sept. 21, 2024, then barrel-fermented on native yeast. Melon, golden apple, pear, and a hint of citrus on the nose, touched with chalk dust, faint spice, and vanilla. On the palate, it’s juicy and tropical, with perfectly ripe pineapple, apple, pear, built on firm acidity. Nice layers of fruit, excellent tension, a delightful Chardonnay to drink in the nearer term.

Sourced from Benza Vineyard in the Laurelwood District sub-AVA, this special Willamette Valley Wine Auction lot was crafted by Paden West from grapes harvested on Sept. 24, 2024. It’s got a very demure nose, showing the hints of tropical fruits like pineapple and mango, plus toast, and crème brûlée. On the palate, it’s got Golden Delicious apple, lemon, and a touch of white peach carried on a lean body with a zippy finish. Drink now to 2031.

Comprising Pommard, 777, 115, and 667 clones of Pinot Noir grown in Jory soil, this wine from winemaker Kim Abrahams hails from low-yielding, deep-rooted vines at the Archer’s Paradox and Red Hills vineyards. Showing beautiful concentration in the glass, it’s got aromas or rich stewed cherries, strawberries, cotton candy, a bit of jordan almond, and baking spice. On the palate, plenty of strawberry, raspberry, clove, and a touch of earth. Drink over the next 7 years.

Hailing from own-rooted Pinot Noir vines planted in 1974, this bubbly from Kate Payne Brown shows a deep golden-salmon Blanc de Noirs color. The aromas are cheesy and leesy, with baked stone fruit, cardamom, and faint wild strawberry. Not a ton of toast, more leesy in character. On the palate, it’s aggressively effervescent, with faded red fruit, super high-toned cranberry, and lively acidity.

This cheekily named Chardonnay comes from a team of four female winemakers: Anna Matzinger, Luisa Ponzi, Kate Payne Brown, and Wynne Peterson-Nedry. It’s got a nose of ripe melon, pear, and bright lemon zest, with a touch of limestone and chalk. On the palate, it’s got a round body and extremely silky texture, with a vibrant minerally edge that softens slowly over the long finish. A delicious, mouthwatering Chardonnay to drink over the next decade.

This fantastic Chardonnay was crafted by Isabelle Meunier from Chardonnay clones 76 and 95, sourced from two blocks of the Anahata Vineyard. It’s got a lovely and delicate nose of pear, lemon zest, oyster shell, and wet stone. Full and lush on entry, the palate is full of ripe melon, lemon curd, and limestone. The full body fades into a mouthwatering finish, which leaves the palate buzzing and craving another sip. Delicious.

A selection from Benton Lane’s favorite blocks, this shows a deep concentration in the glass. Ripe, baked strawberry and cherry on the nose, with a hefty dose of baking spice. On the palate, a nice mix of ripe and underripe red fruit, with rhubarb and some high-toned cranberry. Fine tannins fade over the nice, agreeable finish. Not built for the super long haul, but should last 8 or so years in the cellar. Aged in 100% French oak, 22% of it new.