2019 Willamette Valley Hazelfern Chardonnay Review

In an upcoming podcast episode, I did a blind wine interview. I tasted an Oregon Chardonnay that, to me, didn’t fit the classic expressions of an Oregon Chardonnay, which led to a question, “What would you describe as a classic Oregon Chardonnay?” Oof, talk about a great question and putting me on the spot. In that very second, with cameras rolling, I said something like, “What you would expect from a Chardonnay, but with incredible acidity that has seen new oak.” I have been thinking more and more about my answer and, as always, I am leaning towards “it depends.” There are definitely Chards out there that see a lot of oak with immense acidity. There are also others that are unique, showcasing wild feral traits, while others are much brighter, reminding me of Chablis. When I opened the 2019 Willamette Valley Hazelfern Chardonnay, I felt it didn’t fit into any of those categories. In the glass, the color is a pure, classic yellow. On the nose, yes, it is Chardonnay, but it’s subtle. There is nothing screaming, “I am Chardonnay,” in big bold font and all caps. The entry is again subtle, transitioning to a mid-palate where acidity is present, but not overpowering. The finish continues with the subtle theme. I adore everything about this wine. It doesn’t fit the mold I was referring to about Oregon Chardonnays, and I don’t want it to. This is a wonderful expression and I appreciate the thought exercise! 👇 👇 👇 👇 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 Would you like to get a Saturday morning email once a month to read with your coffee giving you insider tips on events, news, and an in-depth perspective on a winery? Take about 6.7 seconds to sign up for my monthly newsletter. Link in Bio 🥂 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 # oregonvinocountry 🍷