Vineyard: Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard (70%), Walla Walla Valley Appellation, Certified Sustainable; Salmon-Safe, LIVE andVinea; Celilo Vineyard (30%), Columbia Gorge Appellation
Vintage Specific Characteristics: This 2008 Washington State Chardonnay was produced from Woodward Canyon Estate chardonnay (Clone 108) in the northwestern corner of the Walla Walla Valley and chardonnay (Wente Clone) grown at Celilo Vineyard in the Columbia River Gorge. The grapes were harvested by hand, sorted, and whole cluster pressed. The yield averaged around 2.6 tons per acre, with all grapes harvested by the middle of October. This 2008 Washington State Chardonnay reflects a richness of the Walla Walla Valley due to the higher percentage of fruit from the Estate Vineyard.
Production Notes and General Characteristics: This wine was fermented in 100% French burgundy barrels - 20% new and 80% older barrels. Beautifully mature flavors of ripe pear, apple, and peach marry perfectly with crisp acidity. Whole cluster pressing gives delineated fruit which integrates beautifully with notes of vanilla, cream and toasted hazelnut. Finally, the oak is understated by our choice and is in wonderful proportion with the alcohol, fruit and acidity.
Fully mature fruit shows in the mouth; the texture is smooth and silky. The finish is complex, generous, and long. And while this wine may be consumed now, it will benefit substantially with a year in bottle and should continue to improve for another several years, with proper cellaring.
"December 2009. Don’t let the Washington appellation dissuade you, this is 70% Woodward Canyon estate fruit. Aged in 20% new oak, it’s aromatic, a lovely mix of fruits, perfectly assembled. Flavors run from ime to apple, pear to tropical, dusted with toasted hazelnuts and finished with notes of vanilla and caramel."
Reviewer: Paul Gregutt
Reviewer Publication: The Wine Enthusiast
Review: Recommended
"November 2009. "The cooler conditions of '08 resulted in an unusually refined, silky-textured Woodward Canyon chardonnay, a blend of honeyed Walla Walla Valley estate fruit (70%) revved up by crisp, mineral-laced lots from the wind-scrubbed, cold-climate Celilo Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA.'
Reviewer: Sommelier Journal
Reviewer Publication: Sommelier Journal
Review: Recommended
"This is a wonderful wine that shows the finesse of great winemaking. Barrel fermentation, a small percentage of new oak (20%) and limited sur lie aging allow the Chardonnay flavors to come forward with the nuances from oak aging. Aromas of pear, vanilla and floral perfume lead to a palate rich with flavors of tropical fruit, Asian pear, baking spice and toasty vanilla. The finish is pleasantly crisp with citrus notes."
Lowden, Washington 99360
