2009 Adelsheim Caitlin's Reserve Chardonnay
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 141 cases pH: 3.30
Oregon's pioneer winegrowers planted using selections of
Chardonnay that had been chosen for California's climate. They
were very late ripening - in Oregon, two or three weeks after
Pinot noir. In 1974, David Adelsheim worked harvest in
Burgundy and realized that the vines there produced fewer
and smaller grape clusters and ripened in tandem with Pinot
noir. He suspected that planting clones with these
characteristics might be a boon for Oregon's wine industry.
David followed through by helping create a system at
Oregon State University that dealt with all the red tape and
mandatory quarantines to allow both Chardonnay and Pinot noir
clones to be imported. These so-called "Dijon" clones were
eventually released for planting in 1989. As the vines
matured, we've found that the resulting wines are much
different than what Oregon could formerly produce, much more
in the direction of white Burgundy.
The 2009 growing season began with three months of above
average temperatures coupled with lower than average rainfall.
Bud break occurred around April 20th, giving the 2009 season a
one week head start compared to 2008. Rainfall
increased throughout the pre-bloom period and temperatures
remained higher, resulting in gorgeous bloom conditions and
bountiful fruit set. Temperatures spiked into triple digits in
July, but cooled to normal levels for August as we eased into
veraison.
Harvest began in mid-September for our lower elevation
vineyards, which we had not seen since the 2006 vintage. Lack
of rain around our picking schedule meant grapes could hang
until they reached optimal ripeness. Our Chardonnay
grapes were harvested on September 28. The techniques
used to produce this wine are, unsurprisingly, quite similar
to those employed by the finest vintners in Burgundy. The
grapes were hand picked and pressed as whole clusters with a
gentle bladder press. The wine was 100% barrel fermented in
small French oak barrels (20% new). Aging for ten
months allowed the Chardonnay and oak flavors to meld and the
tannins to elongate, thereby softening and rounding the wine.
The wine was bottled on August 25,2010.
Place:
Grapes for this wine were predominately sourced from
Stoller Vineyard (95%), which is located at the southern
edge of the Dundee Hills AVA. One other site in
the Eola-Amity Hills AVA also made a contribution,
Crawford Beck Vineyard (5%).
The Wine:
The very complex aroma profile of this wine shows
artful layers of hazelnuts, lemon blossom, fresh apples,
honey and baking spices. Beautifully balanced on the
palate by the vibrant acidity found in our Northern
wine region, it features a long, polished finish and a
rich, velvety mouthfeel. Pair it with poached salmon,
lobster, smoked meats and cheeses.
Adelsheim Vineayrd
16800 NE Calkins Lane, Newberg, OR 97132
Tel: (503) 538-3652 www.adelsheim.com
