92 points – Wine Enthusiast
2014
Knudsen Vineyards Chardonnay
SOLD OUT
SavorNW Wine Awards (March 2016)
TasteNW Oregon Wine Awards (May 2016)
SILVER MEDAL
Cascadia International Wine Competition (March 2016)
Pacific Rim Wine Competition (April 2016)
Sunset International Wine Competition (October 2016)
92 points – Wine Enthusiast Score (August 2016)
“It’s young and tight, with compressed core flavors of green apple and grapefruit. There’s a hint of gun metal, and it punches down the palate with vivid acidity. If you drink it young, decant it, or give it another three to five years of cellaring.”
94 points – PinotFile (July 2016)
“Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Inviting aromas of white peach, lemon oil, shaved oak and floral goodness lead to a discreetly concentrated and thoroughly satisfying citrus-driven wine offering considerable complexity. Additional fruit flavors of pear and apple mix amicably with subtle oak driven notes of vanilla and spice. The lemon-infused finish is driven by a bright cut of acidity as the wine literally slides off the back of the palate. One of Oregon’s finest Chardonnays.”
The Knudsen Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay blends estate grown fruit from two blocks on the southern half of our vineyard – higher density, flavorful Block 9, planted in 1995 to the French Dijon clones 95 and 76, grown at elevations between 710-760 feet – and higher density, balanced, micro-scale Block 10, planted in 1995 to the French Dijon clone 76, grown at slightly lower elevations between 655-690 feet. The wine was aged 20% in new French oak and aged 10 months in barrel before bottling.
Appellation: Dundee Hills
Soil: Jory – red volcanic: drains well during winter; holds water during summer heat.
Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.27
Oak: French, 20% New; 10 months in barrel
TA: 6.3 g/L
Cases: 275
In 2014, from bud break through harvest, we experienced an almost ideal growing season that delivered exceptional, balanced fruit. Growing conditions were mostly dry and warmer than normal throughout the spring providing a great environment for flowering and fruit set. The result was large clusters that ripened evenly over the course of the warm, dry summer. Conditions remained mostly dry through September with some rain at the end of the month, which ultimately helped reduce pH levels and lower the rapidly rising sugar accumulation. We were able to harvest fruit in near pristine conditions.
Inviting aromas of white peach, lemon oil, shaved oak and floral goodness lead to a discreetly concentrated and thoroughly satisfying citrus-driven wine offering considerable complexity. Additional fruit flavors of pear and apple mix amicably with subtle oak driven notes of vanilla and spice.