One of the exciting new projects out of Oregon, Chosen Family Wines was founded by Jacob Gray, Chase Renton (L’Angolo Estate Winery) and former NBA star Channing Frye. More recently NBA all-star Kevin Love has joined the business, as Love is originally from Oregon and has come full-circle with his joint ownership.
Chosen Family works with a collective of up-and-coming winemakers throughout the West Coast and today’s releases of Willamette Valley wines were made by Jackson Holstein, accomplished winemaker from Granville Wines.
For years Channing Frye has been passionate for Oregon wine. He had a very successful 2007-08 season for the Portland Trailblazers, averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds per game. His two seasons in Portland made him more and more enamored by great Oregon Pinot Noir. I have really enjoyed my conversations with owners Channing Frye and Jacob Gray, as their are building some big things with their brand.
Last year I tried the new lineup of Chosen Family Wines and was really impressed. This years new lineup is even more impressive as it will be exciting to see how this brand grows over the next few years. Check out the awesome new 2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which has good freshness and a brilliant texture from this warm vintage. I also loved the 2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 91) — a wine that at three years of age is already drinking marvelously. Learn more about these great new wines at chosenfamilywines.com Here are my reviews of the new Chosen Family wines.
2021 Chosen Family Wines Rose- A brilliant salmon hue, the 2021 Chosen Family Wines Rose delivers seriously good range on the palate, from teaberry and cran-raspberry flavors to salted melon and suggestions of wild mushroom. A standout wine under 25 bucks, enjoy this beautiful new 2021 Rose over the next five years and don’t serve too cold. Drink 2022-2027- 92
2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- Only 12.9% alcohol, the outstanding 2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay was stored in 15% new French oak (10% stainless steel) for 11 months prior to bottling. On the nose this shows roasted hazelnuts with suggestions of Japanese pear and ripe kumquat. The palate is ripe and downright delicious, delivering a range of orchard and citrus fruit flavors, with flinty undercurrents. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The brilliant and serious value 2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir offers bright Bing cherry on the palate, with dusty soils, pomegranate seed and orange rind flavors. Medium bodied and fresh, this is delicious wine to consume now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 91