2010 Chehalem, Ian’s Chardonnay, Stoller Vineyards, Dundee Hills, Oregon ($36)
Amazement, on my part. I’m not a big fan of Left Coast Chardonnays, even from the states north of California–usually too big, too viscous, too high in alcohol, too sweet on the palate. But in January I found one I loved, from Oregon–the 2011 Stoller Family Estate, Reserve Chardonnay, Dundee Hills. I told you all about it, with glowing words of praise (you could look it up!). Then…damn!…last week, in tasting a few score American Chardonnays, it happened again…with a wine from Oregon again…and the exact same vineyard!!! There is something going on in the Dundee Hills that I was not aware of! This week’s wine, made by Chehalem, oddly light in the glass, also has a mineral-and-toast driven nose, with a repetition of these flavors on the palate. It is beautifully balanced, and singing with bright acidity, culminating in a nearly perfect harmonious finish. The other Chardonnay, from Stoller Family Estate, the one I loved in January, has perhaps a touch more fruit, mostly of the apple kind; this one is a little more austere. Jeez Louise…same vineyard, two different wineries. Are they related? Yes. The vineyard itself, with about 175 acres planted to vines, is called the Stoller Vineyard. It is owned by Bill Stoller, who owns the winery that made the January fave, Stoller Family Estate. But Bill also made a business connection with the nearby winery Chehalem, a great winery; Bill is a partner there, with rights to use certain sections of the vineyard to make Chehalem wine, of which today’s great Chardonnay is one. At Chehalem, the winemakers put together the best fruit from 2-3 different parts of the Stoller vineyard (same parts every year), and call the wine “Ian’s Chardonnay,” named after the deceased son of one of the owners of Chehalem. Got it? Doesn’t matter. The huge takeaway…Oregon has a globally major Chardonnay vineyard, Stoller Vineyard that not too many people know about! Get it into your life!
Wine4Food
The other takeaway is food. This is a Chardonnay that will fulfill some of your Chardonnay-matching dreams. I’d go with fish, fish soups, fish in cream sauce, chicken and veal in rich sauces, hard goat cheese, lots of other things. Just keep sweetness out of the food, because the wine is dry.
My Wine Manifesto
Download my free Wine Manifesto. And use #wine4food to share your thoughts about this wine on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.