2019 CHEHALEM ESTATE GROWN CHEHALEM MOUNTAINS PINOT NOIR “750ML”

2019 CHEHALEM ESTATE GROWN CHEHALEM MOUNTAINS PINOT NOIR 750ML

2019 CHEHALEM ESTATE GROWN CHEHALEM MOUNTAINS PINOT NOIR 750ML

91pts James Suckling

The Chehalem Mountains is a northwest-southeast span of several distinct mountains, ridges and peaks in the northern part of the Willamette Valley. Of all of Willamette Valley’s smaller AVAs, it is closest to the city of Portland. Its highest summit, Bald Peak at an elevation of 1,633 feet, serves to generate cooler air for the rest of the AVA and its hillside vineyards. The region covers 70,000 acres but only 1,600 acres are planted to vines; soils of the Chehalem Mountains are a mix of basalt, ocean sediment and loess.

Chehalem is considered a vineyard winery, aiming to reflect what the vineyard has produced, purely, with minimal processing and without compromising great fruit. Their name, Chehalem, translates to Valley of Flowers in the Native American language, Calapooia. It’s their goal to follow the example set centuries ago: to treat the land with great care and to continue the mission of creating a sustainable future.

Their story starts in 1990 with the inaugural Pinot Noir harvest at Ridgecrest Vineyard. As those wines were releasing in 1993, Bill Stoller joined as co-owner. He subsequently purchased his family farmlands at the southern tip of the Dundee with the vision of planting it as our second estate vineyard.

In 1995, they purchased Corral Creek, the vineyard surrounding the winery. It became the third estate vineyard.In early 2018, Bill became the sole owner of Chehalem, and by July, they had become the sixth Oregon winery to achieve B Corp status. This rigorous certification assesses companies to ensure they meet the highest standard of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.

A beautifully fresh nose with earthy and leafy notes intermingling with bright red berries and cherries. The palate holds a fresh and even stance and delivers elegant, moreish appeal. Drink now. Scents of juniper and dark berries give this pinot a wintery feel. The fruit is forward but the texture remains composed and restrained, framed by a slightly bitter amaro note, putting game, like pheasant, in mind. Best Buy

Aromatic notes of fresh blue and red fruits jump out of the glass, with subtle hints of brambly earth and spice lingering as you pull away. The palate is bright, showing fresh red fruits that are complemented by soft, silky tannins and a vibrant finish. Winemaker.