Evening Land Vineyards La Source Chardonnay 07
Evening Land Vineyards La Source Chardonnay 07 shows qualities in Oregon Chardonnay never encountered before. Wine may be made in the vineyard, but clearly, the winemaker adds that magical something special. And Dominique Lafon takes Seven Springs Vineyard's old vine fruit to a level comparable to his famed white Burgundies of Mersault, where he surely reigns as king. Visiting Domaine Comtes-Lafon must be a religious experience. Neal Martin (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate) says: 'A great wine from Dominique Lafon is something that will be etched upon your vinous memory for many year." I'll be remembering this Seven Springs Chardonnay for a long long time.
Harvey Steiman of Wine Spectator says: "straddling the gulf between steely and creamy. The pear, white nectarine, mineral, clove and nutmeg aromas jump from the glass and then drape silkily over the palate...what California Chardonnay has this kind of depth and distinction at 12.8% alcohol?"
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Winery Tasting Notes
Long a source for benchmark Oregon Pinot Noir, the Seven Springs Vineyard is now a 'monopole' vineyard estate. Seven Springs was first planted in 1981. Occupying the "belly" of an easy-facing ridge in the Eola Hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley, the soils of Seven Springs spring from the mineral rich red volcanic rock and are planted to a mix of Oregon Heritage and Dijon clones. Winemaker: Isabelle Meunier with Dominique Lafon, consulting winemaker.
La Source Pinot Noir and La Source Chardonnay are made from vines that are planted atop a section called the "La Source Cross". The "La Source Cross" was formed by a river of lava that flowed from the top Western edge of the Vineyard to the Eastern belly of the hill before spreading out to the North and South. Soils in this area are of the Nekia series and the top soil is considerably shallower than in the rest of the Vineyard. Typically, top-soil depth in the La Source Cross runs between 2 and 5 feet.
