Best Barrel!

As usual, Best Barrel was an excellent event. The 2007s were all showing beautifully. They are all lovely, elegant wines; classic cool-climate Pinot Noir. And I think the Stoller Vineyard Chardonnay is gorgeous. I expect on release (almost a year away), the 2007 Ian’s Reserve Chardonnay will be the most impressive we have done–no mean feat considering the consistent quality of that wine over the years.

While we wait for those delicate 2007s to be ready to drink, we will have plenty of approachable fruit-rich 2006s to keep us occupied. 2006 and 2007 were both very good vintages for our Pinot Noir, but they are certainly an example of how dramatic the impact of vintage is on the style of Oregon wines.

- Daniel

Tasting the 2007 Whites

Brian, Chehalem’s Cribbage King and Cellarmaster was nice enough to take a couple of us in sales through our 2007 white wines. While the 2007 INOX Chardonnay and most of the 2007 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris were bottled a couple of weeks ago, the 2007 Reserve Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and the Rieslings are still in tank and it was a treat to be able to see how those wines are coming along.

Yes, I am biased, but will nonetheless claim that these 2007 whites show why Chehalem is widely regarded as one of the best producers of white wine in Oregon, if not the country. Every white in the cellar has brilliant acidity that is perfectly balanced with beautiful fruit. The Rieslings are deeply layered and interesting. I think the 2007 Reserve Pinot Gris is the best we have made. I can’t wait until these are released.

Many Willamette Valley wineries have made their mark with Pinot Noir and we are no exception, but in many ways, the white wines are what set us apart from our peers. We are one of the few who make more white wine than red wine. And we like it that way.

“I just love making white wines and I love to drink white wines,” Brian said while taking us through the 2007s, “We make what we love.”

I think that is why we make them so well.

- Daniel