Jeb Dunnuck 95
"Coming from the incredibly talented team at Alban Vineyards, the 2019 Chardonnay had just been bottled two weeks prior to this tasting, yet it certainly wasnt any worse for it and showed brilliantly. Aged in new 300-liter barrels, it offers a layered, complex nose of caramelized lemon, brioche, toasted bread, and buttered peach, with some classic salinity on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, its beautifully balanced, has perfectly integrated oak, and a great finish. I think its the finest vintage Ive tasted from them."

Tasting Notes
Aromas of yellow apple and tart pineapple. Primary flavors of Asian pear, apricot, and lemonade. Secondary flavors angelica and apple skin. Finish is tart and round.

The Wine
The Willamette Valley is Oregons most recognized appellation for cool climate varietal wines, and it is in the Northern part of this region where the finest vineyards are found an epicenter we refer to as the North Valley which includes all of the defined sub-appellations (the Dundee Hills, Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton, etc.). It is from within this region of rolling hillsides and diverse soils that veteran winegrowers James Cahill and Tony Soter, along with North Valley partners, Brian Sypher and Michelle Soter, source certified sustainable vineyards of real Cru quality for these personality-driven wines. Meticulous, hands-on attention to farming practices throughout the growing season from flowering through harvest, and minimal handling in the winery, assures a resulting level of quality normally associated exclusively with estate grown wines in fact, we think of each vineyard site we work with as if it were a satellite estate property, as a statement of our genuine commitment to making the best wines we can.

71 Willamette Valley
29 Eola-Amity Hills

45 used French oak
55 steel barrels
45 malolactic fermentation
Lees stirring through winter

The Estate
The Willamette Valley is Oregons most recognized appellation for cool climate varietal wines, and it is in the Northern part of this region where the finest vineyards are found an epicenter we refer to as the North Valley which includes all of the defined sub-appellations (the Dundee Hills, Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton, etc.). It is from within this region of rolling hillsides and diverse soils that veteran winegrowers James Cahill and Tony Soter, along with North Valley partner, Michelle Soter, source certified sustainable vineyards of real Cru quality for these personality-driven wines. Meticulous, hands-on attention to farming practices throughout the growing season from flowering through harvest, and minimal handling in the winery, assures a resulting level of quality normally associated exclusively with estate grown wines in fact, we think of each vineyard site we work with as if it were a satellite estate property, as a statement of our genuine commitment to making the best wines we can.

North Valley wines are crafted from a diverse set of clones, soil types and microclimates, representing the various sub-appellations of our region. Our winemaking practices are time-honored, small-lot methods, using new French oak with restraint, so that the pure, regional characteristics of our wines shine brightly. These wines are what we refer to in-house as our Regional Rock Stars!