Elizabeth ChamOne of the beautiful stops in McMinnville, Oregon, Elizabeth Chambers Cellar is a fantastic, historic site for tasting wine. Their outdoor space is simply terrific on a warm summer day. Elizabeth Chambers started her wine career in 1993, shortly after her mother Carolyn, a well-respected business and civic leader in Oregon, acquired Hinman Vineyards (later renamed Silvan Ridge). At the time there were considerably fewer Oregon wineries and Liz worked hard to establish Silvan Ridge as a powerful wine brand.
In 2005, Liz bought a historic winemaking facility in what was formerly a McMinnville power plant. She acquired this great building first erected in 1926 and created her namesake winery. Finally in 2013 Elizabeth Chambers opened and has been producing high quality wines since that time, At the helm is Drew Voit, who has been former assistant winemaker at Domaine Serene for four years before joining Elizabeth Chambers.
His new wines for Elizabeth Chambers are seriously good across the board. I absolutely loved the new 2019 Elizabeth Chambers Rose (WWB, 90) which has wonderful freshness and verve, with a marvelous texture. Look to the downright awesome 2017 Elizabeth Chambers ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 92) showing a great expression of Pinot Noir with serious range and tension. Learn more about these great wines at https://elizabethchamberscellar.com Here are the great new wines by Elizabeth Chambers.
2019 Elizabeth Chambers Rose- Very pretty red fruits dance with shades of honeydew melon on this enticing nose. The palate is beautifully textured with lighter red raspberry, guava and teaberry flavors that mingle with the good sense of minerality. Enjoy this in the short-term while the brightness remains intact. Drink 2020-2024- 90
2017 Elizabeth Chambers ‘Winemaker’s Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- Deeply colored, the 2017 ‘Winemaker’s Cuvee’ by Elizabeth Chambers shows a soft, pillowy texture with a deep core of red and dark fruits. The citrus rind and damp earth accents of this wine round everything out, as the 2017 ‘Winemakers’ Cuvee’ will cellar well over the next seven to ten years. Drink 2020-2027- 91
2017 Elizabeth Chambers ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this famed Eola-Amity Hills Vineyard, the 2017 ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir opens with exotic spices that meld with the core of rich red fruits and earthy undertones on the nose. The palate is soft and generous, showing off a ripe mouthfeel. Deep dark fruits collide with orange zest, cinnamon and suggestions of black truffle crudo on this expressive palate. Fantastic now, the ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will evolve well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 92
2017 Elizabeth Chambers ‘Lazy River Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Lazy River Vineyard’ Pinot Noir opens with rose water and peat moss tones that collect momentum with the rich ripe red fruits that all mingle in the glass. The palate shows a good freshness and a light dusting of salinity that races through the red cherry and red currant with citrus rind flavors. Bright and energetic, I can see this cellaring well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 91