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Winery:
Eyrie Vineyards

$26.95 Regular

$24.25
in any 12 bottle order or Build a Case

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AVALON RECOMMENDS

Review:

Lemon meringue pie, a hint of pineapple, pear and apple, just a squoosh of sweet spice. I was only having one glass, but I just had to have one more. It's so good!

Trying the 2010 Eyrie Chardonay, the aromatics came to life first, with a delectable whiff of baked lemon pie, and then later a subtle tropical element. Pineapple? By the time it had been opened for a few minutes the flavor was extraordinary.

A youthful lemony streak ran from end to end, carrying with it a taut array of spice notes. The core of pear and apple fruit was firm, having not yet expanded outward as it will with even just a few more months in bottle. But with the impressive amount of layering and delineation at such a young age, I believe this Chardonnay has a long, glorious life ahead of it. - Jean

below, bottles of Eyrie's
41 vintages of Chardonnay

A Lesson Learned - Over-Chilling Wine

Occasionally a wine review also presents itself as a teaching opportunity. In this case, the lesson is "please don't over-chill your white wines"!

I recently tasted the new release of Jason Lett's 2011 Eyrie Chardonnay and before pouring it, I put the bottle in the refrigerator, intending to pull it out after ten minutes. After what was supposed to be a brief round of gardening, I realized an hour had gone by and the wine was still under arctic conditions in my kitchen. I rushed in, removed it quickly and poured a glass.

As the glass began to bead with condensation, I knew that it was too cold. The aromatics were subdued and it yielded almost nothing on the palate. The wine had drawn inward and closed down, just as I would have if I'd spent an hour in 40-degree weather without any clothes.

With my afternoon errands done, I had the opportunity to retaste the wine as it returned to what is referred to as "cellar temperature", roughly 58 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan on drinking a wine that's been in the fridge, try letting it come closer to room temperature before you drink it - be sure that the bottle is cool to the touch, but not cold! - Jean

2009 Vintage

A richer take on the Eyrie house style, this beautiful Chardonnay comes from some of the oldest Chard vines in Oregon. Eyrie's recent 37-vintage vertical tasting of Chardonnay changed the global perception of Oregon Chardonnay. Check it out!

2007 Vintage

Eyrie Chardonnay Estate 07 - This vintage epitomizes the Eyrie style, expressing complex aromas and only the barest hint of oak. On the palate, the wine's rich complexity is reiterated, finishing long and crisp. - the winery

Excellent example of Oregon Chardonnay from one of Oregon's wine pioneers, David Lett. He planted the first Pinot noir at his vineyard in 1966.

"........ citrus and orchard fruit flavors, gentle acidity and a late note of vanilla. Easygoing and pliant, with good juicy persistence." - Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, April 2008