Today we share one of the exciting new wine projects out of the Willamette Valley. Chosen Family Wines utilizes the winemaking skills of Chase Renton (L’Angelo Estate winemaker) and was founded by Jacob Gray and former NBA star Channing Frye. More recently NBA all-star Kevin Love has joined the business which is an exciting movement for the brand.
Channing Frye has a longstanding interest in Oregon wine. While playing for the Portland Trailblazers he became more and more enamored by great Oregon Pinot Noir. Last year I had the chance to meet with Jacob and Channing and talk more about their brand. I also had to hear the story about how Channing and the Cleveland Cavs took home Cleveland’s first NBA title in style on the road several years back.
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 2020 Chosen Family Wines Chardonnay (OB, 92) which has amazing texture and poise and is an awesome effort considering the challenges of the vintage. Just as good is the finesse-driven and highly focused 2019 Chosen Family Wines Pinot Noir (OB, 92) — 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.
2020 Chosen Family Wines Chardonnay- The 2020 Chosen Family Wines Chardonnay offers a silky texture upon entry. Bright pear and starfruit flavors with baking spice dusted Challah bread all enter the fray. The sense of finesse and weight of the wine really sing. Considering the challenges posed this vintage, this is a stunning effort that will satisfy for at least another five to seven years. Drink 2022-2027- 92
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
2019 Chosen Family Wines Pinot Noir- The 2019 Chosen Family Wines Pinot Noir is a bright and red-fruit driven bottling by winemaker Chase Renton. Silky tannins line a core of pretty guava, pomegranate seed and cran-cherry fruit flavors. Light citrus blossom and volcanic earthy undertones complete this wine that is already drinking beautifully the three year mark. Enjoy this smooth Oregon Pinot Noir over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2019 Chosen Family Wines ‘L’Angelo Estate’ Pinot Noir- The ‘L’Angelo Estate Vineyard’ is set in the Dundee Hills, as this great new Pinot Noir opens with a bouquet of volcanic earth and potpourri tones that meld well with salty red fruits and cigar box accents. The palate is soft and refined, with refined tannins that line a core of pretty red fruit and citrus zest flavors. Generous and lithe, this is a terrific effort that is best consumed over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2034- 93
2020 Chosen Family Wines ‘Fort Ross Seaview Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir- The 2020 ‘Fort Ross Seaview’ Pinot Noir brilliantly showcases this cooler and remote location in the Sonoma Coast AVA. The palate is lithe and polished with salted red fruits that combine with suggestions of cola and tangerine peel. Finishing long, this is delicious and terroir-driven Pinot Noir that is best enjoyed over the next seven years. Drink 2022-2029- 93