Who doesn’t love a great Washington Chardonnay? Some might see the wine as a bit of a cross between Napa and Oregon with wines that show good fleshy character seemingly regardless of vintage but also show slightly more cooler tones than Napa. House of Bones is a project winery by co-winemakers Sean Boyd and Kevin Masterman who have a passion for Burgundy. Kevin has had incredible opportunities to learn white wine making from top new world producers such as David Ramey, and Walla Walla’s own Griffin Frey and John Abbott. They source from a hallowed site in the Columbia Gorge, which creates wines that have seriously good poise with lovely citrus tones. For many years I have adored wines coming from the famed ‘Celilo Vineyard’ in the Columbia Gorge. I’ve had Woodward Canyon bottlings back to the early 1990s and have been really impressed with how wines from this site cellar.
The 2019 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) is fresh and highly energetic with gorgeous range. Even better is the sinfully good 2018 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is deeply concentrated with a wonderful sense of texture and minerality. Learn more about this fantastic project winery at https://www.properwines.com/House-of-Bones
Here are my notes on the the brilliant releases by House of Bones.
2019 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Sourced from this outstanding site, this weighs in at only 13.4% alcohol. The wine is incredibly textured with good length and weight. Layers of lemon oil, wild mushroom and papaya mingle with stony minerals on the palate. Outstanding now, this will provide drinking enjoyment over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2021-2029- 92
2018 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Even more deep and concentrated than the 2019 edition, the 2018 House of Bones shows a wonderful sense of body and texture. Lemon oil and cardamom dusted brioche mingle with ripe pineapple and honeydew melon on the palate. The combination of verve, viscosity and minerality is gorgeous here. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2017 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Silky and elegant, this 2017 Chardonnay is marvelously evolved now at the four year mark. Marzipan, lemon zest and Challah bread tones mingle with starfruit and kiwi on the palate. Deep and rich, with a great acid backbone, this has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2029- 93