Brittan Vineyards Chardonnay 2010

Review:

2009 Wine Advocate - 93 points - “My prediction,” says Brittan boldly, “is that the greatest New World Chardonnays are going to come out of Oregon within the next ten years,” and when I taste the 2010 Chardonnay from his estate – or indeed those he helps craft at Ayoub – I am ready to entertain that proposition. Scents of iris, heliotrope, and distilled-strength herbal essences soar from the glass, then re-emerge as seductive inner-mouth perfume over a buoyant, luscious base of mirabelle and lime custard, suffused with iodine-tinged, savory, saline, saliva-liberating shrimp shell reduction. The mouthwatering resultant finish just keeps floating. Here is a Chardonnay of exceptional poise and distinction that I could well imagine might reward half a dozen or more year’s bottle age, though absent a track record that is mere intuitive speculation. It’s certain, though, that this represents a superb value. - David Schildknecht

A leader in Oregon's Chardonnay revolution. Sophisticated, mouth filling wine of weight and power, focused on crisp citrus, spice and cream.

As my wife and I were tasting through the final wine candidates for our May Chardonnay offer, I opened Brittan's 2010 Chardonnay. Her reaction: "Damn, there are some good Chardonnays coming out of this state." This is a pleasure to drink, full of lemon meringue with a big, clean dollop of acidity playing nicely with this Chard's creaminess. The finish has flourishes of juniper and lime. Only 4 cases available. - Marcus

Very little Oregon Chardonnay is made - there's not just much fruit out there. What is, especially what's made from the oldest vines, was recognized as extraordinary last year by Wine Spectator with a 97 point score for a Chardonnay from the Seven Springs Vineyard.

The Brittan Chardonnay is one of those gorgeous Oregon wines still mostly under the radar of the wine buying public (more for us!)

2009 Vintage Tasting Notes

Sophisticated, nuanced, rich, minerals, citrus, stone fruit/white peach. And that's just the nose. Follows through with intense flavors, reprising the fruit and minerals of the scent, adding a hint of cream and white flowers in the finish. Elegant, regal, memorable. Yowsa. - Jean

You will not believe this wine with Dungeness Crab.

Robert and Ellen took a bottle of this Chardonnay with friends to a popular restaurant in wine country with one of the best Oregon wine lists. They left a glass for the sommelier, and before they got home, they had an email begging for a case.

About 30 cases made.

Veteran Winemaker Robert Brittan has been making wine for over thirty-six years, most recently at Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa, where he served as General Manager and Winemaker for sixteen years. Brittan has always had a passion for Pinot Noir; a love affair that began in the 80’s when he made several vintages under his Britt Hill label.