Today we share one of the electric new wineries of Oregon. The brainchild of Bree and Chad Stock Constant Crush Wine relies on their more than 30 years of industry experience. Constant Crush is a winery on the rise, and I can’t wait to see what is next from them having tried their incredible range of new wines.
It was almost a decade ago that I met Oregon wine board member Bree Stock, MW. Australian-born, her wine career began in the Canadian on-trade with Sommelier buying roles on both coasts. On return to Australia she developed broad industry experience in management and sales director roles in on-trade, distribution and importing specializing in wines of the Iberian Peninsular, US and Australia. Stock is a joy to talk wine with. Funny, witty and possessing an incredible palate, I quite honestly had no idea that she was making wine until I tried her Artist Block wines. This was the first time that I tasted any of her wines and I was quite frankly floored by what was in the bottle. I am so eager to see where her winemaking career takes her. The new wines I tasted were beautiful across the board. Anyone who knows me understands that I am not a big fan of the Pet Nats available on the Northwest wine scene — with very few exceptions. Her 2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Mencia Pet Nat (OB, 92) rivals anything that you will taste like this in the Pacific Northwest with its incredible flavor range and nuances. These wines all have a wonderful singularity and a beginning, middle and end — with a focus on texture and varietal typicity. Bravo! Learn more about this fantastic new outpost at https://www.constantcrushwine.com/
2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Mencia Pet Nat- This is a first for me to see the noble grape of Bierzo, Mencia, grown in the Willamette Valley. This comes off extremely well-balanced, with plenty of nuance. Blood orange zest and cranberry flavors combine with salty soils, Pazzaz apple and guava juice accents on the palate. Refined and seriously delicious, this is not your typical Oregon Pet Nat and is one to buy by the case. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Sauvignon Blanc- This 2022 Sauvignon Blanc saw some barrel age, coming from the Eola Springs Vineyard. Clowdy in the glass, this is filled with tension and sourdough bread notes on the palate, with salted macadamia nut and shades of Yakima cherry all coming together nicely. This is viscous and rich wine that is already nicely evolved. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Arneis- This unique bottling offers both excellent texture and finesse once on the mouth. Layers of honeysuckle and cardamom drenched pear combine with honeydew melon and stony accents on the palate. Delicious now, this will show well for another six plus years to come. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Chenin Blanc- Smooth, silky and very elegant, the 2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Chenin Blanc is another seriously good new release from this new Oregon house. Once on the nose this takes on beeswax notes alongside cardamom and shades of cashew nut. The palate is rich and viscous with a dense mouthfeel. This is going to just get better with age, developing more nutty and earthy tones as it cellars. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Gruner Veltliner- The fantastic 2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Gruner Veltliner might have just a dusting of Nikolaihof in her. Once on the nose this takes on green bell pepper and dried sage notes alongside ripe orchard fruits, with baking spice accents. The palate is plush and soft with an inviting texture and good sense of weight and length. Fabulous to consume now, this will continue to evolve well for another eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2021 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Limited Addition’ combines Blaufrankish (80%) with smaller parts St. Laurent and Gruner Veltliner. The color is very concentrated, as is the deep fruit flavors on the palate. Violets, allspice dusted blackberries and shades of orange rind all collect momentum on the palate. This is seriously good, showing great flavor density, as this highly novel wine will cellar well over the next eight years to come. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Red Wine- This 2021 bottling combines Trousseau, Gamay and Pinot Noir in near equal parts. It is marvelously earthy with a smooth texture. Underbrush and black truffle crudo combine with kumquat zest, pretty red fruits and shades of cigar ash on the palate. This is gonna be loved by Oregon wine geeks. Drink 2023-2031- 91
2021 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Gamay- This 2021 Gamay comes off very fresh and nicely textured with delicate red fruits that parade with Mandarin orange rind, and flinty/salty undercurrents on the palate. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Gamay- Just as fresh and vibrant as the 2021 Gamay, this 2022 offers plenty of mouth-watering acidity and finesse with very pretty and tart red fruit flavors that mingle well with orange zest, and wet stone accents. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition Pinot Gris/Pinot Noir’ Red Wine- Equal parts Gris and Noir, this highly unusual yet sensual 2022 bottling offers lovely high-tones from the Gris with citrus blossom water, and guava fruit flavors that combine with suggestions of volcanic earth on the palate. Stony and savory, with plenty of lip-smacking acidity, this is a total winner. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2021 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Cabernet Franc- One of the best Cabernet Franc bottlings I have had from Oregon, this beautiful 2021 opens with violets, sage and wild blackberry notes on the nose. The palate is fresh and nicely balanced with a smooth texture. Rich and polished, with plenty of mouth-watering acidity, this will continue to evolve over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2022 Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ‘Limited Addition’ Cabernet Franc/Field Blend Red Wine- Soft and approachable once on the mouth, this 2022 offers a smooth texture and is loaded with bright black and red fruit flavors, with tobacco leaf and stony accents. Drink 2023-2031- 91