Today we share one of the outstanding producers in the Willamette Valley. Stoller founder, Bill Stoller, has a degree in business and economics from Pacific University, as well as an MBA from Portland State University. In 1983, Bill co-founded Express Employment Professionals, currently the largest privately-held staffing company in the world, with more than 800 offices in three countries. Additionally, in 2001, he founded Xenium, a human resources outsource company. This business success has enabled Bill to pursue his passion of wine and to contribute to his community. Bill's most prominent civic commitment was to his alma mater, as the former chair of the Pacific University Board of Trustees.
Bill acquired his Willamette Valley family property from his cousin in 1993, and saw the potential with the terroir in place. He planted 10 acres each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 1995 and the winery now spans vineyard is the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregon's Dundee Hills. The property spans 400 acres, with 225 acres focused on growing vines at elevations ranging from 220 to 640 feet. Ten varietals are planted in this vineyard, including Viognier, Pinot Meunier and even Aligote.
I loved the new wines by Stoller who are now making some great bubbles. The 2017 Stoller ‘Larue’s’ Brut Rose (OB, 91) is fresh and vibrant with good astringency. I adored the 2018 Stoller ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is big and burly with seriously good range. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at https://www.stollerfamilyestate.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Stoller.
2017 Stoller ‘Larue’s’ Brut Rose- This pretty Rose sparkling wine shows white Rose petals and cranberry tones on the nose with shades of baking spices that all take shape in the glass. The palate shows a soft mouthfeel green melon and sour raspberry with shades of pink grapefruit water. Delightful to enjoy right now, this has another another decade to go. Drink 2021-2029- 91
2020 Stoller Rose- The 2020 Stoller Rose is an awesome new release. Right away the wine reveals watermelon and Pink Lady apple tones alongside orange blossom on this beautiful nose. The palate is fresh, vibrant and wonderfully textured. Very pretty red fruits dance with minerals, damp earth and orange rind tones. Drink 2021-2025- 91
2019 Stoller Pinot Noir- The 2019 Stoller Pinot Noir shows lighter red fruits with rose water a and a great earthy core on the palate that adds to the complexity. The length is really good in this outstanding value out of 2019. Drink 2021-2026- 90
2018 Stoller ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- The 2018 Stoller ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay is a fantastic barrel selection wine that is showing already beautifully at the three year mark. The nose shows hay and toasty brooch tones alongside lemon zest and marvelously salty undertones. The palate is soft and seamless, effortlessly gliding throughout the drinking experience. Fantastic and broad-shouldered now, this has at least another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2018 Stoller ‘Elsie’s’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Elsie’s’ Chardonnay shows off toasty brioche tones with melon, wet stone and a whiff of salted hazelnut on this great nose. The palate shows a great mouthfeel and astringency with layers of salted orchard fruits, wet stone and nutty undertones. Fresh and vibrant, with good weight, this has a long way to go. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2018 Stoller ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 Stoller ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir is sourced from some of their older vines in their estate. The nose reveals black truffle shavings and exotic spices woven together with huckleberry and shades of blood orange zest that all meld in the glass. The palate is dense and chewy with a terrific mouthfeel and good sense of length. Dense dark fruits parade with minerals, smoke and peat moss tones. Inviting to savor in its youth, this has another fifteen years ahead of it. Drink 2021-2035- 94
2018 Stoller ‘Nancy’s’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Nancy’s’ is named after Bill Stoller’s sister, who grew up with four male siblings. The palate is heady and refined with a great combination of red and dark fruits with tobacco leaf and a bright sense of minerality. The viscosity here is really good, as this generous style of Oregon Pinot Noir will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 94
2018 Stoller ‘Helen’s’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Helen’s’ shows a whiff of smoke aromatically, alongside wild blackberry and Bing cherry tones with damp earthy accents. The palate shows vibrant acidity with a good sense of mouthfeel. Layers of bright red and dark fruits parade with Mandarin orange rind and wild mushroom on the palate. This has a long journey ahead of it. Drink 2021-2035- 93