Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge AVA 2022
2022, Underwood Mountain, Pacifc NW/ Columbia Gorge AVA, USA
Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge AVA 2022
Chardonnay
Loop de Loop Wines
About the Wine
This Chardonnay is from 20-30-year-old vines sourced from neighboring vineyards on Underwood Mountain between 1,000 - 1,500 feet in elevation. Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in stainless steel and neutral French oak for 20 months on the lees before bottling. We think Underwood Mountain is magical for growing Chardonnay as the varietal is extremely transparent of the place in which it is grown. You could say it expresses terroir with the utmost honesty. The high altitude brings us constant cool nights, maintaining high acidity and expressing more floral characteristics than tropical. Our proximity to the Columbia River Gorge brings high winds, which thicken the skins and turn into more pronounced wines. The long cool growing season yields a wine that's balanced but often racy. This is a cool climate Chardonnay and therefore brighter and more lithe than most New World Chardonnays.
Tasting Notes
Aromatics of pear blossoms and orchard fruit give way to brioche, crisp apple and poached pear, finishing with lemon curd and a hint of mineral character. On the finish the whites of Underwood often express salinity as is indeed the case with this Chardonnay.
Pairing Notes
Pairing classically paired with alpine cheeses and charcuterie, would also go amazingly well with spring peas, asparagus, sweet pea, and prosciutto risotto, and almost any seafood! Oh and also fantastic with almost any dish coming from Southeast Asia.