Since its establishment in 1992, the winery has been producing small amounts of Chardonnay (winemaker Steve Donner has been producing excellent Chardonnay at Calera). The 2018 VTG marks the first time that the Chardonnay vines in the new plots have been aged to the point that they can be exported overseas. The vineyards are a blend of Louise's original plots, Paul Guery's new plots, and neighboring like-minded vineyards. The wine has a smooth and solid style with a hint of oak and complete malolactic fermentation.
Christom has been making Chardonnay since 1992 and is no stranger to the craft (winemaker Steve Donner made some excellent Chardonnay at Calera).
One parcel of the single vineyard Louise is still planted to Chardonnay, and two barrels of "Germaine", named after Steve Donner's grandmother, are produced and sold exclusively at the cellar door.
In Oregon, Pinot Noir was the standard for red wine and Pinot Gris for white wine, but while Chardonnay was considered to have potential, the search for a style led to the production of a lot of unoaked Chardonnay that was closer to Pinot Gris.
Christom's Chardonnay is smooth and robust, with a strong oak flavor and complete malolactic fermentation.
It is a blend of the original Louise parcel, the new Paul Guerry parcel (planted in 2012) and several select vineyards from dedicated growers in the nearby Eola-Amity Hills.
Technical information
Winemaking: The grapes are gently pressed without destemming to avoid bitterness.
Fermented with natural yeast, fermented and aged in French barrels (225 liters and 500 liters) (24% new barrels), aged in barrels for 11 months (100% malolactic fermentation), then aged on the lees for 5 months in stainless steel tanks.
Tasting Comments
Smooth and thick mouthfeel.
It has a pleasant, delicate, fine acidity, a calm aroma reminiscent of Japanese pears (strong and hard acidity) and Meyer lemon peel (a cross between a lemon and an orange), and a condensed core within a firm, not overripe, sake quality.
The oak notes add a richness and blend beautifully into the wine.
The refreshing aftertaste is impressive.
It will become a representative wine of Oregon Chardonnay.
Field Information
The wine is a blend of approximately 15% of our own vineyards (Paul Guerry, Eileen, and Louise) and six selected excellent vineyards in the vicinity.
Von Olsen 40%, Eola Springs 23%, Le Lawyer 13%, Seven Springs 5%, Stillings 4%
Vintage: 2021
Capacity: 750ml
Type: White wine
Taste: Medium bodied
Main variety: 100% Chardonnay
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: Oregon
AVA: Eola-Amity Hills
Vineyards: Approximately 15% of the vineyards are our own, plus six selected vineyards nearby.
Winemaker: Steve Doerner
Winemaking: Fermented with natural yeasts, fermented and aged in French barrels (225 liters and 500 liters).
Aging: 11 months in barrels, 5 months on the lees in stainless steel tanks
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 13.0%
JAN: 851573001679