Wine Notes > Chardonnay > Previous Release

2003 Ian's Reserve Chardonnay, 100% Dijon Clone

(new release October 2006)

2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996

The Wine

Entirely Dijon clone, this is our attempt to make fine white Burgundy, complete with richness, balance and great acid structure for aging. Named for Ian Peterson-Nedry who died on the first day of harvest for Dijon clones from our vineyards in 1996, it is our best white and, with vine age, may be one of the best chardonnays you've tasted. The Wine Advocate annually calls Ian's Reserve "certainly one of the finest Oregon Chardonnays I have tasted to-date." (Each year we select one of Ian's poems to appear on the back label.)

Dijon Clones

Acquired from Burgundy’s collection of clones selected at the University in Dijon as vineyard replants, Dijon clones are well suited to the cool climate of Oregon. Ripening as in Burgundy, slightly before Pinot Noir rather than two weeks afterward as was common with the original clones selected for a warmer California climate, these clones revolutionize Oregon Chardonnay. Over the last couple decades, strong cooperation between Burgundians and Oregonians, led by Raymond Bernard and David Adelsheim, respectively, resulted in a number of these clones being brought into Oregon State University’s clonal importation program, the favorites being 75, 76, 95, and 96. They have been planted throughout the valley and constitute almost exclusively the source of serious Oregon Chardonnays, including Ian’s Reserve and our INOX™.

The Vineyard

Stoller Vineyards is our newest vineyard, containing state-of-the-art clones, rootstocks, and planting densities, as well as full viticultural tools such as drip irrigation. Stoller has 75, 76, 95, and 96 Dijon Chardonnay clones, at two high densities. A warm site at the tip of the Dundee Hills, elevations range from 200–600 feet and soils are Jory, a soil series of deep, red volcanic loam. Site and clones assure full ripeness in all vintages. Some of this bottling also comes from Corral Creek Vineyards.

The Vintage

This is an excellent vintage, albeit unusual in the fiery nature of the growing season. The same dry and warm growing and ripening seasons held for 2003 as with the past few vintages, only more so, with Region II (not cool climate!) heat accumulations of 2,500 units, average highs of 78ºF July–October, and half the normal rainfall with 2.75 inches. Fruit was disease-free, crop loads were easily honed to desired levels, and soil moisture was adequate due to good preseason winter rains. Concerns of the vintage center on high sugars and resultant high alcohols, and low acids. Almost-comparable past vintages, like excellent 1992, may urge us not to worry.

Stats

Harvest Data:

Harvested 9/29–10/8/2003 from Stoller (75%) and Corral Creek (25%) @ 23.5–25.2 brix, 5.4–5.5 g/l TA, and 3.25–3.40 pH

Fermentation:

50% Native Yeast, 33% CY3079, 10% R2, and 7% T306 in French oak barrels from four coopers

Cooperage/Aging:

30% new, 30% one-use, 40% older barrels; on lees with batonage & no racking for 10 months

Clonal Selection:

100% Dijon clonal fruit

Bottling:

Bottled 9/7/2004 with cold stabilization and sterile filtration

Bottling Analyses:

15.5% alcohol, 3.57 pH, 5.3 g/L TA and 0.17% residual sugar

Cases Produced:

988 6-packs

Suggested Retail:

$28

Release Date:

October 2006

Winemaker's Comments

A complete and balanced cool-climate Chardonnay, despite the vintage. Bright, platinum-gold color, this wine reflects aromatics of yellow peach, lemon curd, warm bronze metallics, and threads of chartreuse/pastis/licorice digestif. Also complex on the palate, there is sweetness of fruit, flan custard, and melted sugars, and, again, lemon curd, served in a broadly expanding volume of fruit. The finish is elegant and very long, visiting you for many moments, with vanilla, sweetness, and subtle spices.

Quotes

Wine Spectator, October 15, 2006, Harvey Steiman: 90. Polished and spicy. The creamy toastiness of barrel fermentation and aging swaddle the pear and hazelnut flavors as they linger on the effortlessly plush finish...

Wine Advocate, June 2006, Pierre Rovani: 90. Consistently one of Oregon's finest Chardonnays, Chehalem's 2003 Chardonnay Ian's Reserve follows a long line of successes. Its sensual, creamed vanilla aromas are followed by a super-rich core of spices, vanilla beans, and ripe pears.

Wine Spectator, December 31, 2006, "Cooler is Better for Oregon Pinot,"
Harvey Steiman: Several Chardonnays are worth noting... the pear and hazelnut flavors of Chehalem Chardonnay Willamette Valley Ian's Reserve 2003 (90, $28) are swaddled in the effortlessly plush finish.

© CHEHALEM
31190 NE Veritas Lane • Newberg, OR 97132
Tasting Room (503) 538-4700 • Winery (503) 537-5553 • Fax (503) 537-0850