Evening Land Vineyards Summum Chardonnay 07
Evening Land Vineyards La Source Chardonnay 07 -
Wine Spectator 94 Points:
"An arresting wine, stopping you in your tracks with its pure, clear, expressive pear, apple, chalk, wet stone and fromage blanc aromas, which follow through on the palate and dance easily on the long finish. Drink now through 2015. 115 cases made." - HS
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92 Points
The 2007 Chardonnay Summum Seven Springs Vineyard exhibits a similar personality. Minerals, baking spices, hazelnuts, white peach, and melon aromas lead to a smooth wine with superior depth and concentration, all elements in harmony, and a very long finish. This high-class effort is likely to evolve for 2-3 years and drink well for a decade.
The Summum 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?"
More from Parker: "Evening Land Vineyards is a group headed by movie magnate Mark Tarlov that also owns Pinot vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Santa Rita Hills. They gained control of one of the Willamette Valley’s prized properties, Seven Springs Vineyard, and created an immediate sensation by signing on Dominique Lafon of Comte Lafon in Burgundy as consulting winemaker. The good news is that the Evening Land group is making a major effort to restore the health and vitality of Seven Springs; the bad news is that several wineries that made terrific wine from Seven Springs fruit will no longer have access. 2007 was a superb year for Willamette Valley white wines because of the vibrant natural acidity provided by the cool vintage conditions."
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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.
