{"product_id":"winderlea-chardonnay-2017","title":"Winderlea Chardonnay 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003eWinderlea Chardonnay 2017 captures the elegance and energy that have made Oregon one of the world’s most exciting cool-climate regions. Crafted in small quantities from premium Willamette Valley fruit, this wine bridges New World purity with Old World finesse. It’s a refined Chardonnay that emphasizes freshness, precision, and terroir rather than heavy oak, offering a sophisticated alternative to richer, more opulent styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2017 Winderlea Chardonnay shows a pale straw to light gold hue with brilliant clarity and a subtle green edge that hints at its vibrant acidity. The nose is finely detailed, with aromas of lemon zest, green and yellow apple, ripe pear, and white peach layered over notes of wet stone, almond, and a touch of brioche and vanilla from well-judged oak.\n\nOn the palate, this is a focused, medium‑bodied Chardonnay with a lively, linear profile. Bright citrus and orchard fruit lead the way—think Meyer lemon, crisp apple, and pear—supported by a gentle creaminess and a saline, mineral backbone typical of Oregon’s best sites. Hints of hazelnut, baking spice, and chamomile tea emerge as the wine opens, finishing long, fresh, and beautifully balanced. Drinking very well now, it has the structure and acidity to evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years, developing more nutty and honeyed complexity with time in bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSourced from cool, meticulously farmed sites in Oregon’s Willamette Valley—often compared to Burgundy for its latitude and climate—Winderlea Chardonnay 2017 reflects a terroir of volcanic and sedimentary soils, moderated by the protective Coast Range and Cascade Mountains. Grapes are typically picked by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve natural acidity and aromatic finesse. In the cellar, Winderlea leans toward a restrained, Burgundy‑inspired approach: gentle pressing of whole clusters, followed by fermentation in a mix of French oak barrels (often with a modest proportion new) and, in some cases, stainless steel to maintain clarity of fruit. Lees aging adds texture and complexity while malolactic fermentation is usually carefully managed to balance creaminess with precision, resulting in a Chardonnay that is both expressive and finely etched.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Chardonnay is a natural partner for refined, subtly flavored dishes that echo its freshness and texture. Think seared scallops with lemon butter, grilled white fish, roast chicken with herbs, creamy seafood pasta, or a mushroom risotto finished with Parmesan. It also pairs beautifully with soft and semi‑hard cheeses such as Brie, Comté, or young Gouda. Serve at 10–12°C (50–54°F) to highlight its aromatics and structure. A brief 20–30 minutes in the fridge before serving is ideal; if possible, decant or let it sit in the glass for 10–15 minutes to allow the wine to unfold its layered fruit and mineral notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWinderlea is a small, quality‑driven producer based in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, a region that has rapidly risen from experimental upstart to one of the world’s benchmark cool‑climate wine regions in just a few decades. Founded with a Burgundian sensibility and a strong commitment to sustainable, often organic or biodynamic farming, Winderlea focuses on site‑expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that reflect the nuances of the valley’s diverse soils and microclimates. The winery has earned a reputation for elegance, balance, and environmental stewardship, helping to cement Oregon’s standing among serious wine collectors and sommeliers who seek finesse and authenticity in their wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Winderlea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54256250782033,"sku":"VHU0009","price":51.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/Winderlea-Chardonnay-2017.png?v=1783463154","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/winderlea-chardonnay-2017","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}