Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Estate Chardonnay 2018 (Oregon) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is an excellent Chardonnay from the Dundee Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area) in Willamette Valley that arrived at the LCBO a couple of weeks ago as part of the July 10 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Sokol Blosser Winery was founded by Susan Sokol and Bill Blosser when they planted their first vineyards in the Dundee Hills AVA in Willamette Valley in 1971. At the time, they needed all of their youthful confidence, energy, and determination as there was no wine industry in Oregon. They are located 28 miles (45 km) southwest of Portland, in an area in Dundee Hills whose geology dates back 15 million years, when lava flowed from northeast Oregon and pushed into Willamette Valley to create the red volcanic Jory soils that the Dundee Hills AVA is known for.

Today, the certified-organic 106 hectare estate winery is family-owned and -operated by the children of Susan and Bill, siblings Alex and Alison Sokol Blosser. They produce wines of world-class quality in a sustainable manner, mindful of the environment, and express the different flavours of their hillside vineyards. Among their many achievements, Sokol Blosser's underground barrel cellar was the first winery building in the U.S.A. to receive LEED certification in 2002. In 2015, Sokol Blosser became a Certified B Corporation.

This 100% Chardonnay is crafted with certified organic grapes from their Thistle Vineyard estate in the Dundee Hills. The vines were planted on a steep hillside site in the year 2000 with popular clones 95, 76, and 96. It was fermented in a variety of formats, including new and neutral French oak barrels and concrete egg, followed by secondary fermentation and ageing for 10 months in both barrel and larger format puncheons that included some lees ageing. The 2018 vintage was their coolest since 2012, and they believe it's their best since that then. I've tasted previous vintages of this wine and it's always been a delight - let's see how this 2018 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SOKOL BLOSSER DUNDEE HILLS ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2018 - Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#16988) (XD) - $28.95
From red volcanic Jory soils, the elegant, medium+ intensity nose is rich with lemon citrus and ripe stone fruits mingling with earthy volcanic minerals, plus hints of tropical fruit. It is impressively textured on the medium+ bodied palate with lovely, complex flavours of citrus and minerals with hints of mealy, honey, and a kiss of vanilla. Vibrant acidity lifts the slightly spicy mid-palate. Somewhat tight on the long, textured finish with mineral flavours joined by touches of apple and butter. Best enjoyed with only a light chill. Highly recommended buy. Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines from Sokol Blosser can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.