2017 Chardonnay ~ Yamhill Valley Vineyard

Limited Library Release!
 
tasting notes
pronounced pear, lemon, stonefruit ‒ silken and seamless ‒ broad and powerful without losing electricity and tension ‒ incredible texture and length - this bottling from our premier Chadonnay terroir will go the distance
 
ava McMinnville
elevation 350-450 feet
aspect south, steep slope
soil volcanic
vine age planted 2003
clonal selection Dijon 76 & 95
harvest October 15, 2017
bottled July 26, 2018
cases produced 200
 
the Terroir
Yamhill Valley Vineyard is positioned within the McMinnville ava in the foothills of the Coast Range, along the edge of the Van Duzer Corridor—the "air-conditioning" pathway through the Coast Range where cool marine air pours in from the ocean 30 miles away. The cooling winds and cool mountain air translate to Chardonnay with refreshing, sometimes electric, acidity. The shallow volcanic soil and steep, south-facing slope of the Fromage block has little water holding capacity, causing stress to the vines and resulting in a sparse canopy and loose clusters of unusually small, sun-kissed, thick-skinned berries, giving depth and texture to the wine. Our goal for Chardonnay is to achieve a tension between expressive fruit and vibrant acidity, between substance and delicacy. Yamhill Valley Vineyard is giving us the opportunity to find that delightful balance point.
 
the Growing Season
The Winter of 2017 brought a deluge of rain and the Spring was cool and wet, delaying bud break and then flowering. the Summer was generally dry and warm, sometimes hot. Critically, the Autumn returned to seasonably cool temps and several cycles of rain recharged the soil and refreshed the vines without causing significant rot issues. we began harv