2020 Salem Wine & Co. Chardonnay 750ml

The Willamette Valley in Oregon is often compared to Burgundy, for the challenging growing conditions, varietals planted, and the quality-minded smaller-scale producers that have chosen to work here. It is therefore not surprising that super sommelier Raj Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman, who bonded over their love for elegant European wines, decided to base their second joint venture here. The Evening Land estate, whose vineyard is known as Seven Springs is planted overwhelmingly to Pinot Noir, followed by Chardonnay, and Gamay. The oldest own-rooted blocks of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are a testament to, and a daily reminder of, Oregons incredible winemaking history. Benchmark Oregon producers have long sourced fruit from Seven Springs and the wines from this vineyard are the most decorated and award-winning Oregon wines. Pure and pleasing Chardonnay out of Oregon under the Salem Wine Co label, part of the Evening Land stable. A good whack of the fruit comes from the iconic Seven Springs vineyard at Evening Land HQ, with the balance coming from neighbouring sites. It has a cooler feel than Californian Chardonnays further south, and a lower abv too. That said, it does reveal some waxy richness along the palate – this definitely an American version of cool-climate Chardonnay!