Willamette Valley is primarily known for Pinot Noir, however, a crop of new talent, inspired by the great whites of the Cote d’Or is forging a reputation for refined, classy Chardonnay. Naturally high levels of acidity, combined with Burgundian know how, can produce crisp, layered, intensely mineral Chardonnay with a decidedly European tilt.
Walter Scott Wines is widely recognised as being at the vanguard of Willamette Valley Chardonnay scene. Since working alongside Dominic Lafon, Ken Pahlow, with his wife Erica, has produced a string of highly successful, critically acclaimed, single vineyard releases that tend to get snapped up on release. When the 2020 vintage came around, a fabulous vintage was on the cards until devastating wildfires hit the region. Much of what they’d grown had to be sold off in bulk for fear of smoke taint. What remained was of such scant quantities that single vineyard releases were, for the most part, simply not viable.
Read MoreEnter Bois Moi - an aptly named, one-off composite bottling composed of 6 top vineyard sites including the highly sought-after trio of X-Novo, Seven Springs and Freedom Hill. Released at the same price as the Combe Verte bottlings this is a sensationally good value Oregon Chardonnay offering up notes of flinty volcanic minerality, fine citrus fruit, and a good deal of depth and mouthfeel. It invigorates the palate but also screams “Drink me”. With a lofty 94/100 from robertparker.com, this is a highly rated, delicious American white guaranteed to appeal to European palates.