Iterum, Eola-Amity Hills (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Chardonnay 2021

 Sourced from the Dobbes family home estate vineyard planted in 2016, this is one extraordinary Chardonnay.   Initially, you think it might be French.  That’s surprising for such a relatively young vineyard but this is an unusual and distinct wine.  Light yellow with green tint, it opens up to offer layer after layer of rich, concentrated aromas and flavors.  Beginning with a note recalling effusive fresh cut apple, it picks up subtle lemon curd, and a hint of ginger with a little oak vanilla.  Medium full on the palate with similar flavors, it is smooth, concentrated and nicely textured.  The non-stop flavors continue and lead to a lovely, long-lasting lemon and oak spice aftertaste.  The vineyard is organically farmed and the wine was barrel fermented with the native yeasts and aged for 11 months in 37% new French and 12% new Acacia barrels.  A small percentage went through malolactic fermentation which accounts for its vibrancy and balance.  One of the finest Oregon Chardonnays in my experience.  220 cases made.