September 20th, 2009
Lenn Thompson, the host of this month’s Wine Blogging Wednesday and the creator of the event itself, strategically coordinated this month’s “At the Source” theme with my trip to Willamette Valley, Oregon (Thanks Lenn!). Lenn challenged us to taste any wine at the winery where it was made.
Willamette is Pinot Noir country and we tasted many phenomenal examples but I was pleasantly surprised by a Chardonnay at Domaine Drouhin. You don’t hear much about Willamette Valley Chardonnay. Given the frequent comparisons made between Burgundy and Willamette, it makes sense that Chardonnay could fare well. Our stop at Domaine Drouhin was impromptu, after visiting Scott Paul and Domaine Serene, because it looked so gorgeous. Paul Gregutt, who reviews Pacific Northwest wines for us, gives their Pinots consistent high ratings and I know that the winery is a favorite of Jancis Robinson.
Domaine Drouhin has been a family-owned winery for generations. Veronique Drouhin-Boss is a fourth generation winemaker. They first began making wine in Burgundy and they replicate that style in their Dundee Hills wines. “French soul, Oregon soil” is their motto. Despite Drouhin’s refined image, we walked into a tasting room full of East Coast characters. Between the big shot requesting large formats of Drouhin Laurene Pinot Noir (phenomenal juice), some Brooklynites, and our dynamic host Brian Dooley (from Long Island), it was great to kick back and meet these interesting folks while tasting serious wine. Meeting Dooley was invaluable to our trip as he tipped us on an exciting local brewer, Heater Allen, who was crafting German-style beers. He also recommended his alma mater Brick House to us, a small Pinot producer whose wines are a steal.
The Domaine Drouhin 2007 Arthur Chardonnay was my first Chardonnay from Oregon. I really dug it. In the glass, the pale straw color really set it apart from the deep gold that you see often in California Chards. I had to work it a bit in the glass a for it to open but when the aromas unveloped I got bisquity, leesy scents coupled with lemon, green apple and soft oak. On the palate it had weight and was creamy but still crisp and zesty with a smooth, fresh finish. I was shocked to see the 13.9% alcohol content! Upon tasting it a few more times I picked up some heat on the back palate, though the power of suggestion is strong.
From their site I read that their goal was a blend of pure Chablis and gentle Mersault, two distinct white Burgundies. It certainly tasted that way. With each sip I would get a creaminess that was pulled back in by the acidity and zesty notes, keeping the wine lean and focused. Only 10% new oak was used and 50% of the wine saw stainless steel fermentation, yielding a supremely balanced wine. This is a $30 Chardonnay and I really tasted the difference in quality for the price. Thanks to Lenn, for hosting another fun Wine Blogging Wednesday. I look forward to reading the roundup!
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Er, the site’s just looking better and better. Really fun checking in and seeing what you’re doing here.
Table 8 sounds super lame. As for Centro, I’m intrigued (and it’s across from super Chinese – Grand Szechuan). That being said, I’m trying not to blame Leah for being a tart (it takes two to tango and we are feminists, after all) but I can’t help myself. Blah to her. I’m an idiot!
Glad to hear it, thanks for the visit Jul!