Ken Wright Willamette Valley Chardonnay 23

I have to admit that I'm becoming increasingly fascinated with wines from Oregon, especially the terrific Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. I know we skew largely Euro-centric here at the shop; however, there are plenty of reasons to love wines from the Willamette Valley. Two significant reasons float to the top for me — there's a striking similarity to the wines of Burgundy, and there's also the Oregon Promise. More about the Oregon Promise in a moment.

Nestled between the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Coast Range to the west, the Willamette Valley's unique cool climate terroir is practically a mirror image of Burgundy. The region's volcanic soils, cool breezes, and moderate rainfall are absolutely perfect for producing world-class expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

It's easy to draw numerous comparisons between the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir produced in the Willamette Valley and those from Burgundy. Both regions share a similar latitude and experience favorable growing conditions that contribute to the quality of their wines. While Burgundy is celebrated for its legendary limestone-rich soils, the Willamette Valley stands out with its unique combination of volcanic and sedimentary soils, giving the wines from this region a distinct and equally captivating minerality.

Many winemakers in the Willamette Valley, including Ken Wright, took it a step further by embracing Burgundy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir clones. These forward-thinking vignerons recognized the incredible potential of Burgundy clones in the Willamette Valley terroir. These clones became the key to unlocking the remarkable depth and complexity of the region's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Ken Wright Cellars is a benchmark producer in the Willamette Valley wine scene, and his reputation extends far beyond Oregon. Founded by Ken Wright in 1994, the winery has been an instrumental force in shaping the region's vinous identity.

Ken Wright's winemaking philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for Willamette Valley terroir with a hyper-focus and an unwavering belief in the power and significance of single-vineyard varietal expressions. Much like California's Zinfandel icon Paul Draper of Ridge Vineyards, Ken Wright's dedication to highlighting the distinct personality of each mono-varietal vineyard has made him a trailblazer and icon of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley.

Ken Wright's Willamette Chardonnay perfectly illustrates the valley's potential for producing world-class white wines. Sourced from a selection of the estate's younger vine holdings, this Chardonnay is carefully crafted to preserve the grape's natural acidity and rich fruit. To protect this delicate balance, a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak ensures the wine remains fresh and lively.

In your glass, Ken Wright Willamette Valley Chardonnay offers inviting aromas of citrus zest and green apple, framed by subtle notes of crushed white flowers. The rich palate remains bright and lively, featuring notes of white peach and Asian pear, with whispers of lemon curd and vanilla lingering nicely through the finish.

Ken Wright's Willamette Chardonnay is a natural fit for richer seafood preparations, particularly lobster, scallops, and crab. The wine's ample acidity will also do nicely with creamy risotto, roasted chicken, and seared white meats. If you're feeling more adventurous, enjoy it with sushi or mildly spiced Thai and Indian. The wine's a veritable chameleon of culinary companions and will shine like a champ in casual and complex culinary company.

While we love Ken's Chardonnay, there's no question that his focus is firmly planted on Pinot Noir. Ken Wright Willamette Pinot Noir may be the estate's entry-level Pinot Noir, but for me, it exudes the essence of the Willamette Valley at a very friendly price point.

The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir comes from younger vines in some of the estate's best vineyards. With careful vineyard management and a super-light touch in the winery, this gorgeous Pinot Noir is a gorgeous expression of Willamette Valley terroir.

In your glass, Ken Wright's Willamette Pinot Noir presents aromas of red berries wrapped in earthy tones and gentle spice. On the palate you'll love the flavors of ripe cherry, raspberry, and a touch of forest floor, finishing with a silky texture and fine tannins.

Ken Wright's Willamette Pinot Noir is a wonderfully versatile culinary companion, and we especially love it with grilled salmon, seared duck breast, or mushroom risotto. Like Ken's Chardonnay, his Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is equally at home with super-simple weeknight fare, weekend dinner parties, and sipping out on the porch or patio.