2021 SUNU Chardonnay

Our love of the Chardonnay grape has only grown during our years of working with Pinot Noir found in the northern hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley. This is the former floor of the Pacific Ocean, holding marine sediment deposited over millennia amongst a tangled maze of creases and folds in the earth. As such, we jumped at the chance to work with these special hillside-grown Chardonnay grapes at Lazy River Vineyard. Crafted with traditional techniques and raised in French oak barrels.

The source of Chardonnay grapes for the 2021 SUNU Chardonnay is not new to us: Lazy River Vineyard. On this vineyard's western edge a steep slope meticulously planted to Chardonnay vines is sheltered from the sun's late days rays. The result is a complex Western aspect providing us with several different "layers" of ripeness from the top of the slope to be bottom. The resulting wine style speaks to both the weight of a warm site with the bright acidity of a cooler site.

The 2021 SUNU Chardonnay displays a golden straw hue, reflecting both fermentation and aging in French oak barrels. The aromas of yellow peach and pear and are complimented on the palate by racy lemon, toasty brioche, and a touch of mineral essence. The 2021 SUNU Chardonnay displays a concentrated mid palate which is not surprising given the scant yields and tiny berries.