2021 Chehalem Estate Pinot Blanc

WINEMAKER’S NOTES

Right off the bat, your nose is overtaken with the bright and clean aromatics. The tropical starfruit and lychee notes are waiting to be tangled with a plate of spicy chicken and chili peppers. Finishing with a silky and rich texture, I made this wine to drink in the sun with good food and even better company. 

VINTAGE OVERVIEW 

The 2021 growing season was warmer than average in the Willamette Valley, producing beautifully ripe fruit with vibrant flavors. A dry spring led to lingering rain showers during bloom, which reduced the yield in some blocks. Then, an abnormal heatwave spread across the valley, with temperatures reaching as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Fortunately, the fruit prospered as high temperatures occurred between bloom and veraison when
berries were hard and less sensitive to damage. Temperatures tapered off before harvest, with warm days and cool nights, allowing the fruit to ripen at an even and slower pace. Quick yet seemingly smooth, harvest started on August 21 with little to no breaks until we finished on September 26. The resulting wines are balanced with focused flavors, stunning fruit, gorgeous vibrancy, and incredible aging potential.

Bright, Crisp, Starfruit

90 points - James Suckling