Focused on high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Ribbon Ridge AVA in the Willamette Valley, Chehalem is one of the pioneering wineries of Oregon, first planting their Ridgecrest Vineyard in 1980 by Chehalem Founder Harry Peterson-Nedry. March forward a decade later, their first Pinot Noir was created. Three years later Bill Stoller joined Harry in the winery operation and later planted a vineyard on his family farmlands at the southern end of the Dundee Hills. Two years later Chehalem purchased Corral Creek, the vineyard surrounding the winery, in 1995. It became the third estate vineyard sourced for Chehalem wines.
A few years back Bill Stoller purchased Harry’s stake in Chehalem. The new wines by Chehalem had marvelous finesse and tension. One of the top Rose wines out of Oregon, the 2019 Chehalem ‘Three Vineyard’ Rose (WWB, 90) has really good earthy tones and shows really good acidity and range. Even better was the 2017 Chehalem ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 92) which is dense, chewy and has lovely cellaring potential. Learn more about this historic Oregon winery at chehalemwines.com Here are the great new release wines by Chehalem.
2019 Chehalem Rose- The 2019 Chehalem Rose shows high-toned red raspberry and Yakima cherry tones alongside damp earthy accents that build in the glass. The palate is well-balanced with a good degree of acidity alongside lighter red fruit flavors, with damp earthy tones. Enjoy this in its youth. Drink 2020-2024- 90
2018 Chehalem ‘Inox’ Chardonnay- This unoaked bottling opens with pretty kiwi and nectarine rind with peat moss tones that round out the nose. The palate has great freshness and verve, with beautiful length. Enjoy this in its youth while the freshness remains. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2018 Chehalem Pinot Noir- The 2018 Chehalem Pinot Noir was sourced from multiple sites throughout the Willamette Valley. On the nose this shows layers of dark and red currants that mingle with suggestions of peat moss and baking spices that all take shape in the glass. The palate is juicy, with gobs of acidity and lovely earthy tones that round out this exceptional entry level bottling. Drink 2020-2027- 91
2017 Chehalem ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- This limited production bottling opens with a perfumed core of dark fruits with damp earth undertones that all take shape on the nose. The palate has a great texture with underbrush and forest floor undertones that combine with the wild blackberry and huckleberry flavors. Really good right now, this has some great cellaring potential ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 92
2018 Chehalem ‘Corral Creek Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Corral Creek Vineyard’ is located in the Chehalem Mountains AVA and was first planted in 1983. Pretty rose petal and blackberry pie aromas combine with the earthy undertones on the nose. The freshness and weight of the wine is fantastic, as layers of black fruits combine with a light dusting of salinity and peat moss tones on the palate. Enjoy this expressive wine over the next decade. Drink 2020-2033- 92