Oregon Whites

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast by Michael Alberty writes 91 Points | For those of you who enjoy a stroll on the creamier side of Chardonnay life, here's a wine to champion. The wine's lemon curd and tangerine aromas are a nice mix of sweet and tang, while a puff of chalkboard dust floats in the background. Gentle acidity caresses flavors of lemon gelato and the caramel-drizzled goodness of a stroopwafel cookie.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | A pale yellow hue, the 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley reveals attractive aromas of green melon, lime blossoms, fresh white flowers, and vanilla. Medium-bodied, it’s an approachable and charming white, with a delicately rounded feel and a powdery finish.

Winemaker Description 

Winemaker Description 

Elk Cove Pinot Gris is hand-harvested from their estate hillside vineyards in the northern Willamette Valley. The 2024 vintage was a winemaker’s dream: well-paced with idyllic conditions for cool climate vineyards. Expect a concentrated, fruit-forward wine with great complexity.

The Willamette Valley has the perfect climate for this delicate cool weather white wine. Elk Cove has enough sunlight and warmth for ripening, but their cool evenings help retain varietal character and prevent over-ripening. They whole-cluster press their Pinot Gris grapes, then ferment the juice at very cool temperatures in small stainless steel tanks. This gentle treatment protects the aromatic qualities and enhances the natural richness of the Pinot Gris grapes, creating their most popular white wine.

The wine's crisp acidity and savory notes make it highly food-friendly, especially with:

• Seafood (grilled fish, oysters, shrimp tacos)

• Thai or Vietnamese cuisine

• Pork tenderloin

• Lightly truffled dishes

• Soft cheeses like Gruyère or Cheddar

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Year’s Best US Chardonnay - Wine & Spirits Magazine

James Suckling 94 Points | Grilled pineapple, apricot, hawthorn, burnt lime and flint on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and a sleek, creamy texture. Balanced, fresh and long. Beautiful expression. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now or hold. 

Winemaker Description 

The 2019 'Dundee Hills Chardonnay' is a regional blend showcasing the best of the Dundee Hills AVA. Refined aromas of nectarines, honeysuckle, and bee pollen ascend from the glass, coalescing with notes of citrus peel. Layers upon layers of richness extend across the palate and crescendo to a seamless, persistent finish with lingering notes of lemon drop candy. 

This wine has the energy and drive to drink young or over the next decade. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Wine Spectator 92 Points | This graceful, lighter bodied Chardonnay rested in neutral French oak for 12 months after partial malo. It is brisk and tangy, with aromas and flavors of peach skins, lemon drops, chamomile, green tea and chalk. This nimble wine wants to tango, and you should accept.

Winemaker Description 

This exquisite wine, crafted from grapes harvested in both Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills, offers a delightful journey into Oregon's terroir. With a harmonious balance achieved through 12 months of aging in neutral French oak, it presents flavors of the region's ripe fruit, supported by subtle oak influence. Limited to just 200 cases, this small production showcases the artistry of winemaking and the unique qualities of this vintage.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast  91 Points | If you are fans of acidity tuned up high enough to light a room and make your mouth water, grab a bottle of this electrifying Pinot Gris. The show begins with aromas of lime zest, chilled cucumber slices and cantaloupe, then grapefruit and pistachio flavors fill the mouth.

Winemaker Description 

Expert Review

96 Points Decanter, Clive Pursehouse: This is quite the Chardonnay from Brianne Day and the renowned Eola Springs Vineyard in the best Chardonnay appellation in America. Winemaker Brianne Day chose three different blocks and three different cones: Hyde Wente, Mount Eden and Chardonnay 96 (a Dijon clone). She picked the Hyde Wente and Mount Eden early for structure and acid, and the Dijon 96 was picked later to flesh out the palate with riper fruits. Captivating lemon curd aromas and rich, honeyed apricots are followed by almond pastry cream - dollops of rich lemon cream, ripe peach fuzz, and rich apricot flesh.

Winemaker Notes

I have been wanting to work with another stellar Chardonnay site and was delighted to have the opportunity to purchase fruit from this gorgeous vineyard in the Eola Amity Hills. In an effort to get to know the vineyard well, I chose three different blocks and three different clones; Hyde Wente (California heritage clone), Mount Eden (another Cali heritage clone) and Chardonnay 96 (a Dijon clone). The Hyde Wente and Mount Eden were picked a little earlier for the structure and acid and the Dijon 96 a little later for some stone fruit and riper fruit. The wine is lively, lithe, and has a fairly solid mineral structure with a supple and glossy mid palate. Lemon curd, peaches, river stones, lime zest, sweet orange, honeysuckle and a hint of pastry all come to mind. - Winery

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points (Michael Alberty): "This modest Pinot Gris offers uncomplicated refreshment for a modest price. Asian pear, honeysuckle and fresh-cut grass on the nose; lemon curd, ginger, thyme and a touch of green tea on the palate." (Vintage 2024). 

The 2024 Acrobat Pinot Gris is refreshing and approachable — a classic Oregon white that delivers bright fruit, lively acidity, and clean minerality at an everyday price.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with golden highlights
• Nose: Asian pear, honeysuckle, fresh-cut grass and a hint of ginger
• Palate: Pear, guava, honeydew melon and lemon curd with notes of thyme and green tea
• Finish: Bright and energetic with a touch of minerality and refreshing length

Production Details

• Winery: Acrobat (King Estate)
• Region: Oregon, USA
• Varietal: Pinot Gris
• Vintage: 2024 | Format: 750ml
• Body: Medium | Acidity: Bright
  

Sourced from Oregon’s cool-climate vineyards, Acrobat Pinot Gris is crafted for everyday enjoyment. Pairs perfectly with seafood, light pasta, soft cheeses, Asian cuisine, and warm-weather sipping.

Winemaker Description 

The 2021 Chardonnay is composed of fruit from two of our organic, estate vineyards that span two different AVAs, two different soil types and two different elevations.

With an abundance of bright fruit aromatics, this wine was fermented in French oak to build richness. The nose comes alive with notes of green apple, caramel, lemon and vanilla and has fun nuances mandarin orange and toasted marshmallow. Texturally, the wine is surprisingly rich with excellent acidity making it a great food wine.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Michael Alberty of the Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | I'm a Kansas kid, so I'm a sucker for a sunflowers. The juice inside this bottle, however, is what will make me buy it again. The Sunflower offers aromas of lemon, rosemary and a wee bit of butterscotch. A rich texture and lemon curd and brioche flavors are counterpointed by tangy acidity. Pour with The Wizard of Oz.

Eric Guido OF Vinous writes 92 Points | Honeyed flowers, green melon, chamomile and hints of gingery spice waft up from the 2021 Chardonnay The Sunflower. Soothingly round, this impresses with its depths of ripe pit fruits and candied citrus tones, all perfectly offset by a salty tinge of minerality. The 2021 leaves a cheek-puckering freshness and minty herbal tones, finishing with staining length and freshness.  Drinking 2024 to 2028.  - Vinous 92

James Suckling writes 91 Points | A refreshing and citrusy chardonnay with notes of lemons, baking spices and some blanched almonds. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Focused and well-made, with a delicious finish. Drink now. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Paul Gregutt from the Wine Enthusiast writes 95 Points | From Draper clone vines planted in 1965, this bright gold-hued wine brings myriad details to its apple, jicama, white peach and nut oil flavors. A whiff of smoke carries throughout, and its sheer complexity strains the vocabulary. Stay with it as more subtle layers unfold. Though seductive now, it should mature well through 2030. — Paul Gregutt 

James Suckling 92 Points | A layered and fresh white with cooked apples, honey and straw. Medium- to full- bodied, creamy and textured wine with fresh and pretty fruit. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Tim Fish of the Wine Spectator writes 94 Points | Sleek yet luxurious, this impressive white offers rich Asian pear, nectarine and lemon zest flavors that gather richness and flesh on the long finish. Drink now through 2026. 

Eric Guido of Vinous writes 91 Points | The 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley impresses with its fruit-forward yet beautifully balanced personality, blending yellow apples with chamomile, ginger and hints of white smoke. This is soothingly round with a balance of saline minerals and ripe pears, all guided by brisk acidity. It finishes with admirable length and gentle tension, leaving minty herbal tones to linger on.  Drinking 2024 to 2029.  -

Erin Brooks of the Wine Advocate writes writes 91 Points | The 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley, which contains fruit from vineyards across the appellation, including Koosah, Découverte and Witness Tree, is tense and shimmery. It's scented of yellow apples, lemon peel, bread dough, cashews and beeswax. The light-bodied palate balances concentrated, nutty fruit with vibrant acidity, and it has a long, silky finish.  Drinking 2024 to 2034.

Clive Pursehouse of Decanter writes 93 Points | A core of lemon driven intensity the Résonance Willamette Valley bottlings are nearly as impressive as the single vineyard designates. This wine is a combination of the estate vineyards and some of the Willamette Valley's top sites. Aromas of sweet Meyer lemon blossom, fragrant gardenias, and smoky grilled lemon peel. The palate showcases a real vibrance of fruit, early season stone fruits, lemon curd and bright mineral elements. Crisp acidity yet richly balanced.  Drinking 2024 to 2034. 

James Suckling writes 92 Points | A structured, golden apple-scented wine with hints of toasted almonds, light toast and subtle caramel. Well-balanced, rounded and composed. Drink now. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Résonance Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2022 is a significant bottling from Maison Louis Jadot’s Oregon project. It represents a "Burgundian soul in Oregon soil," overseen by legendary Jadot winemaker Jacques Lardière and Guillaume Large. The 2022 vintage is particularly acclaimed, earning some of the highest scores in the wine's history for its balance of sleek luxury and vibrant acidity.

Pair with 

• Seafood: Pan-seared scallops with a lemon-butter sauce or Dungeness crab.

• Vegetarian: Roasted squash with sage or a wild mushroom tart.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

91 Points Wine Enthusiast| The wine's dominant tart pineapple aroma is tempered by bursts of brown sugar and chalkboard dust. The tropical theme continues on the palate, with tangerine, coconut and orange-cake flavors gliding along a creamy texture. This is a lighter bodied Chardonnay with energetic acidity and a nice finish.

Winemaker Description 

A blend of chardonnay from select Willamette Valley vineyards chosen for complexity, fermented and aged in small French oak barrels for depth and longevity. 

Warehouse Item - Allow 3-5 days for delivery or pickup

Expert Review

97 - International Wine Cellar: "The 2022 Martin Woods ‘Koosah’ Chardonnay from the Eola-Amity Hills dazzles with a glimmering light lemon core and a watery rim. Aromatically, it reveals spiced apples, damp earth, a hint of saline, green melon, and subtle notes of white tea. This Chardonnay carries a beautiful structure with a touch of tannins that kiss the gums, which suggests it will only improve with time. The mid-palate offers perfect acidity and balanced sweetness, leading to a long, fruit-forward and saline-infused finish. An outstanding bottle that’s poised for an even brighter future. Highly recommended and editor’s choice."

95 - Decanter: "The Koosah is a bolder Chardonnay choice in the Martin Woods portfolio. The floral quality of its aromas balances the somewhat rich mouthfeel of its medium—to full-body palate. With that said, it maintains a vibrant energy and nice overall structure - balanced acidity - featuring notes of stone fruits, crispy apples, lemon peel, and herbs. There is a phenolic structure and a rich texture. This wine nails both. Winemaker Evan Martin is a huge fan of the Koosah site, ‘I think it is the greatest Chardonnay vineyard in the Willamette Valley.’" 

96 - Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2022 Chardonnay Koosah Vineyard is a bright yellow/silver color and is a touch more shy at this stage, with notes of smoky earth, white peach, lemon oil, and a white floral tone. Medium to full-bodied, it has lovely richness without weight and has exceptionally focused length. Drink 2025-2037.”

Winery Notes

Lemon oil, green & gold apple, moss, white flower & minerals—remarkable texture and tension between fruit, minerality & acidity—medium weight, while possessing weightlessness—finish lingers with persistent freshness & a note of salinity—our 'Puligny'—this is Oregon 'grand cru' chardonnay to enjoy now or cellar 15+ years

Winemaker Description 

From our Roserock vineyard, the Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay is fresh, vibrant, and seriously compelling. With standout ratings year after year—including two spots in Wine Spectator’s Top 100—it’s earned a loyal following since it’s inaugural release.
 
We can’t wait to share the latest vintage with you! 

Fresh and complex, our 2023 Roserock Chardonnay reflects the vibrant character of our Eola-Amity Hills vineyard. Bursting with aromas of crisp green apple, honeysuckle, gardenia, and lemon zest, the wine unfolds on the palate with a generous roundness and refreshing citrus, ginger, and whisps of nutty crème. Its precise acidity and stony minerality provide a delightful balance, mixing energy with elegance. This wine is delicious now and will evolve happily over the next 7-10 years.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 93 Points | A friendly, rounded and generous wine with ripe apple and pear flavors and light baking spice accents. Balancing acidity adds some lift on the palate, enhancing mineral and saline accents. Drink now.

John Gilman, View from the Cellar 92+ Points | The 2023 Chardonnay from the Drouhin family’s Roserock property is an excellent young wine, coming in at 14.1 percent alcohol in this vintage and offering vivid complexity on both the nose and palate. The bouquet hops from the glass in a lovely blend of pear, apple, hazelnut, a lovely foundation of soil, fruit blossoms and a discreet framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and nascently complex, with a lovely core of fruit, excellent soil undertow, zesty acids and impeccable balance on the long and bouncy finish. This is still fairly primary in personality on the palate and I would be inclined to keep my bottles in the cellar for three or four years, just to let the wine fully blossom on the palate. It is an excellent young chardonnay.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | The 2023 Chardonnay Roserock is zesty and refreshing, with notes of lime zest, bright green apples, and fresh flowers and a medium-bodied profile. It has an elegant, pithy texture, with subtle background hints of oak spice shining through. Drink over the coming 5-7 years.

The Wine Spectator by Tim Fish writes 92 Points Points | Dynamic and fresh, with brisk apple, lemon blossom and kiwi flavors that speed along the sleek finish. Drink now. 2,312 cases made.

Decanter by Clive Pursehouse writes 92 Points | The Roserock balances the ripeness of this wine with a great mineral freshness. From the Drouhin, Oregon founded Eola-Amity estate, balanced between oak and stainless steel, its aromas of sweet lemon pulp and flinty crushed stone. The palate continues with lithe green mangoes, sea salt and thirst-slaking lemon pith.

Vinous 91 Points | The 2023 Chardonnay opens with white flowers, raw almond and chamomile, giving way to freshly sliced Asian pear as it slowly blossoms in the glass. Silken in feel, it showcases ripe orchard fruits elevated by a gentle wave of citrus and sweet spice. The finish is long with a tactile mineral tinge and nuances of lemon that linger.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2023 Roserock Drouhin Oregon Chardonnay is a standout vintage from the Eola-Amity Hills estate, managed by the legendary Drouhin family of Burgundy. This wine is often compared to a high-end White Burgundy but with the distinct volcanic "punch" of Oregon’s terroir.

Winemaker Description 

Our 2017 Chardonnay is stunning. The color is a beautiful light yellow, verging on gold. In the glass, the wine presents a full and complex aroma with distinct hints of honeysuckle, caramel, pear, pineapple, and vanilla. The mouthfeel is generous, bright and smooth, displaying balanced acidity and just a hint of oak. A long finish encourages another taste.

Winemaker Description 

Our ‘108’ Chardonnay comes from the own rooted and old vines at Wirtz Vineyard. Chardonnay styles are as divisive as politics these days.  The Oregon wine machine is back promoting the advantages of Oregon Chardonnay once again.

This is good news.  After many starts and stops with this grape over the years, Oregon Chardonnay is positioned to be a grape that gains national respect. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | The 2021 Chardonnay Cascadia from tank has pretty aromas of honey, allspice and roasted almonds that complement a core of peach and quince fruit. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with a dynamic interplay of textural breadth and energetic acidity, and it offers layered flavors on the finish. 

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points |  The 2021 Chardonnay Cascadia is refined and elegant, with notes of pure white flowers, lemon curd, and white peach. Medium to full-bodied, with a silky mouthfeel and driven by citrus, it offers notes of tangerine as well as orange sherbet and has a great texture and a long finish. It’s long on the palate, with a decadent twist that’s hard to resist.

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | Polished and sleekly layered, with honeydew, pear and spice flavors that build structure toward the handsome finish. Drink now through 2026. 220 cases made.

Memo Summary Notes

The Brick House "Cascadia" Chardonnay 2021 is a highly-regarded, estate-grown wine from Oregon’s Ribbon Ridge AVA. Known for its "Old World" sensibility, this bottling is essentially the winery's reserve Chardonnay, hand-crafted on a 40-acre farm that has been at the forefront of sustainable viticulture for decades.

Food Pairings

• Rich Seafood: Scallops in brown butter, roasted salmon, or halibut with a lemon-cream sauce.

• Poultry: Roast chicken with herbs de Provence or pheasant.

• Earthy Flavors: Mushroom risotto or dishes featuring truffles and roasted root vegetables.