Evening Land Summum Chardonnay 08
Tangy, refined, complex and inviting, this steely wine has a leesy character that weaves through the lime, mineral, green tomato and green apple flavors. Unusual, but with tremendous finesse and depth. Unlike any other Oregon Chardonnay. Best from 2012 through 2018. From Oregon. - H.S.
Wine Advocate 94 points!
Wine Advocate: Even better, if only by a hair, is the 2008 Chardonnay Summum. It received the same elevage as La Source but was picked from a different parcel of the vineyard so the differences are totally terroir related. It exhibits a bit more aromatic complexity, slightly greater concentration, but otherwise more similarities than differences. At this level, those slight nuances are what you are paying for. Is it worth twice the price? I can’t say, but what can be said with certainty is that these are two of the finest Chardonnays ever produced in the Willamette Valley.
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 and is making wines in Burgundy. 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 Evening Land group is also making a major effort to restore the health and vitality of Seven Springs. The most recent development is the addition of renowned Master Sommelier Larry Stone as President and GM of the group in August 2010. Over the past 2-3 years there has been an awakening among some of the Willamette Valley’s most distinguished vignerons that their region is capable of producing world class Chardonnay. With Dominique Lafon and Larry Stone on board, there is no question that Evening Lands will be playing a starring role in this drama. There are now two serious Gamay producers in the Willamette Valley, Doug Tunnell of Brick House being the other. - Jay Miller
A lot of our customers thought I was a little bonkers when recommending a $75 Oregon Chardonnay (Arterberry Maresh) earlier this year. Until they tasted it.
The secret is out: Oregon is making world class Chardonnay - that's WORLD - and the Evening Land Summum Chardonnay 08 is in that class.
Think crushed seashell, flint, lemon, pear, white peach, and a hint of nutty custard. A rich and creamy mid palate meets super-racy acidity. The wine was aged in 30% new barrels, but there's no discernible oak presence. This is serious, long-term aging Chard. Buy it, stash it, learn the secret. - Marcus
Evening Land's second vintage of their top of the line "Summum" Chardonnay is a powerful, polished wine. An enticing, subtly floral scent of citrus and peach explodes from the glass, leading to a surge of fresh lemon, tropical fruit, and mineral flavors. Sensuous creaminess tinged with spice anchors the long, luxurious, intense finish. - Jean
Wine Spectator's Bruce Sanderson on the 2008 Summum - "richer, denser wine, very creamy in texture and powerful, with fig, peach and spice flavors that remain persistent on the finish." September 13, 2010
Shipping in October
Previous Vintage Tasting Notes
Evening Land Vineyards Summum 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."
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.
