The Stoller Estate Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2023 is a wine I found at a local shop selling for $14.99; the list price is $25. The Stoller Family Estate started as a turkey farm and transitioned to wine production in the late 1980s—the current winery and vineyards were established in 2001.
The Story
The Stoller Winery features wines from the Dundee Hills AVA of Willamette Valley, but the Stoller Estate Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2023 is drawn from grapes from vineyards throughout the Valley.
While a $25 wine is not exactly value-priced, this Chardonnay is their foray into less expensive wine.
The Stoller Estate Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2023 is fermented and aged in 82% Stainless steel, 9% concrete, and 9% neutral oak barrels. All 3 containers bring different characteristics to the wine. Stainless steel is airtight, so no oxygen interacts with the wine. Concrete containers insulate the wine from humidity and temperature changes, while neutral oak does not impart flavor but does allow a small amount of air to reach the wine.
Fermentation was started with a selection of Dijon clones, which is a family of yeasts from Burgundy, France. The yeasts used are integral to the final wine, and this Chardonnay is made in the Burgundian style as opposed to the California Coastal style.
The alcohol content is a very French 12.5%.
The Stoller Estate Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2023 Tasting Notes
The color is almost clear with a hint of gold. The nose is melons and apples, pears, soft spice, lemon curd, a faint whiff of vanilla, and nectarine. You typically do not get vanilla when there is no oak used, but the lees (dead yeast) were stirred, and that can bring a creamy texture. The Stoller Estate Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2023 has an open, inviting mouthfeel with sleek, smooth flavor.
This Chardonnay tastes like a rounded apple, a little ripe peach, and Anjou pear, with a creamy sensation, and stonefruit, coconut milk, and tropical fruit.
The acidity is excellent, it allows the flavors to expand and gives the wine length.
The Summary
- The Stoller Estate Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2023 is a delicious Chardonnay.
- I always hear somebody saying that they do not like oaked Chardonnay, they should try this one, an excellent unoaked wine.
