2015 Knudsen Vineyards Chardonnay

Block 28 | 25%
Rootstock | 3309
Clone | CH95
Plated | 1995
Elevation | 710-760 ft
Exposure | SE
Spacing | 5×3.3 ft

Block 28 | 25%
Rootstock | 3309
Clone | CH76
Plated | 1995
Elevation | 725-760 ft
Exposure | SE
Spacing | 5×3.3 ft

Block 32 | 50%
Rootstock | 3309
Clone | CH76
Plated | 1995
Elevation | 655-690 ft
Exposure | SE
Spacing | 5×3.3 ft

92 points – Vinous (February 2018)
“Pale gold. Vibrant, smoke-accented citrus and orchard fruit and vanilla scents, joined by a suave honeysuckle nuance that gains strength with air. Smooth and broad on the palate, offering concentrated Meyer lemon and pear nectar flavors and deeper honey and sweet butter flourishes. Closes sappy and quite long, displaying resonating floral character and gently spicy cut.”

92 points – James Suckling (December 2017)
“A buttery chardonnay with a wealth of vanilla, preserved lemons, apple pastries and yellow flowers. Quite full on the palate with medium acidity, plenty of pear fruit and a long, fruit-forward finish. Drink now or hold.”

91 points – Wine Enthusiast (June 2017)
“Consistent with past releases, this estate-grown effort includes Dijon 76 and 95 clonal material, planted in 1995. It’s toasty in both nose and taste, with a tight core of green-berry, apple and banana fruit. As it breathes open there’s a dollop of cream, just enough to smooth out the finish.”

90 points – Wine Spectator (June 2017)
“Crisp and harmonious, with lemon blossom and apple aromas and focused spice and mineral flavors.”

2017 YEAR’S BEST
Wine & Spirits (August 2017)
“This wine shows off plenty of apple and apple-skin fruit in its aromatic display and its flavors. The texture is round and generous, the finish showing a kiss of oak.”

2017 Oregon Chardonnay All-American, 96 points – PinotFile (December 2017)
“Very light platinum color in the glass. Demure aromas of apple, citrus, almond biscotti and buttery brioche excite the senses. Serene and sophisticated on the palate, with flavors of apple, pear and coconut. Impeccably balanced, with a sleek mouthfeel and a lip smacking, dry finish. Very classy juice.”

GOLD MEDAL
SavorNW Wine Awards (March 2017)

SILVER MEDAL
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (January 2017)
TEXSOM International Wine Awards (March 2017)

FEATURED WINE
2017 Oregon Chardonnay Celebration (February 2017)

97 points – The Pour Fool (March 2017)
“The flavors were hallmark Chard, at the core – yellow apples, ripe pears, sweet herbs, hints of citrus, buttermint, cream, gooseberries, and vanilla – and then swarming with grace notes of wheatgrass, white pepper, honeydew melon, star fruit, honeysuckle, quince, slate, and lime leaf. The balance is Perfect. The alcohol is totally transparent and integrated, the fruit is vivid but not effusive, the minerals are prominent but not pushy, the finish is dry and elegant, and the acidity is exactly what you want in a Chard that’s suitable for sipping but also a devastatingly fine food accompaniment. … This 2015 Chardonnay from Knudsen is transcendent; literally one of the two or three best white wines of any varietal that I have ever tasted from the US.”

Drink Me (October 2017)
“This crisp wine is produced from Dijon clones planted in 1995, and boasts a vibrant straw color. Aromas of pear and green apple waft along the nose, while notes of citrus and vanilla float on the palate. This delicate chardonnay delivers a crisp mouthfeel and an elegant, familiar finish that paints an image of family gatherings overlooking the stunning Oregon landscape.”

8/8+ – Talk-A-Vino (November 2017)
“Opens in the glass quite elegantly. Second day was outstanding – nice buttery note while fridge cold, and more vanilla-driven as the wine warmed up.”

The Daily Meal (May, 2018)
“Juicy and zingy Knudsen Vineyards Chardonnay 2015 is rich and robust but still demonstrates impressive restraint and balance. Ten months in French oak add a warm hint of vanilla and spice to its vibrant citrus, pear, and crisp green apple flavors. Ever-so-slightly creamy, with a long finish, this Chardonnay is charming now and has enough structure to keep aging gracefully. ”

Oregon’s Willamette Valley produced a stellar 2015 vintage marked by a nearly ideal growing season. In 2015, budbreak in the Willamette Valley occurred almost a month earlier than normal, with early warm weather conditions tempered by light, scattered showers in late August. A return to normalcy in September provided a break to what was an intense growing season, resulting in concentrated, balanced fruit at harvest.