Chardonnay, Evening Land

Raj Parr is a James Beard award-winning author and widely regarded as one of the world’s most celebrated sommeliers. Raj has undertaken a new challenge as partner, proprietor, and winemaker for Evening Land Vineyards. He brings to the vineyard and winery a deep familiarity with the broader world of wine and a clear vision for Seven Springs’ place in it.

This Estate Chardonnay from the Eola-Amity Hills west of Salem, comes from a unique section in the south block of Seven Springs. The wine underwent whole cluster pressing before being racked to once-used French barriques and Stockinger puncheons (500L) for fermentation. The wine remained in barrel for 12 months when it was racked to tank. The wine completed élevage in tank for another 6 months before bottling. The Seven Springs Chardonnay was cold stabilized and lightly fined with bentonite clay before bottling. The 2017 Seven Springs Chardonnay shows the classic proportions of a balanced vintage. The aromatics straddle the line between richness and brightness and the palate begins with a generous texture and closes with a vibrant, delineated finish.

AGING:  Gentle whole-cluster champagne press cycle. 12 months in once-used barrique and puncheon, 6 months in tank.