I am a huge champion of Oregon Chardonnay. And I love all styles that the top producers make (limited oak, heavier on oak) because the styles bring so much diversity to the game. Those not on the Oregon Chardonnay Train might have their head in the sand. The quality of Oregon Chardonnay just continues to improve as more and more producers move into the arena. We have to thank the original producers of top Chardonnay like Argyle, Domaine Serene, Bergstrom, Evening Land and Walter Scott for that.
Each year Oregon holds a ‘Chardonnay Celebration’ that is a must for any Chardonnay nut. I won’t forget the dosage trials that Argyle winemaker Nate Klostermann guided us on roughly a year ago. One of the bubbles masters of Oregon, Nate has also quietly been making some of the great Chardonnays in the state under the Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ label. For years I was buying these wines before I was reviewing wines professionally. The ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay typically comes from the Lone Star and Spirit Hill Vineyards. Oak is moderate on these wines, usually around 30-40%. Texturally these wines are very gratifying and they just seem to age gracefully regardless of vintage. Case in point is the 2007 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is obviously a better vintage for Chardonnay than Pinot Noir, but vines still struggled with achieving phenolic ripeness in the valley. Such was not the case for this wine, as there was plenty of rich fruit flavors with plenty of nerve. The new wine, the 2021 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) is just as good with sensational tension and texture. This will easily go for another ten plus years. Think Oregon Chardonnay can’t age? Think again! This is a beautiful example of how Oregon Chardonnay, like Sonoma or Napa Chardonnay, can achieve greatness through tertiary notes as they evolve in the cellar. Learn more about these outstanding wines at argylewinery.com and here are my tasting notes from a sensational tasting of Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay.
Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay
2021 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay- This 2021 ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay was largely sourced from the Lone Star Vineyard with some coming from the Spirit Hill Vineyard. Aged in roughly 20% new French oak, this is beautifully crafted wine with serious richness and underlying tension with salty. Ripe orchard and citrus fruits collide with toasted Macadamia nut notes. Drink 2023-2035- 95
2017 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay- The 2017 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay is a gorgeous showing from this slightly cooler vintage. Ripe peach and pear notes combine with salted praline and shades of brioche on the palate. Finishing long with good weight and tension, this beauty is singing right now. Drink 2023-2032- 94
2015 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay- Already beautifully evolved, the 2015 ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay is an incredible wine from a great vintage that come from the Lone Star Vineyard. The texture and sense of weight here is flat out fabulous. Juicy apple and pear flavors combine with saline drenched lemon and nutmeg dusted brioche flavors. This is just incredible to enjoy right now. Drink 2023-2031- 95
2009 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay- This wine combines Knudsen, Lone Star and Stoller Vineyards. This is very nicely evolved on the nose with nutmeg and allspice notes alongside pastry crust, nectarine and shades of lemon zest. Soft and round with a smooth texture, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2028- 93
2007 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay- Coming from this slightly cooler vintage, 2007 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay is an incredible wine that shows serious weight and underlying verve. Dense lemon oil, white peach and pie crust flavors combine with shades of roasted pineapple. Drink 2023-2031- 95