It has been more than a year since I have tasted through the lineup of Chosen Family wines. A new lineup that is better than ever, each wine that I sampled was exquisite. One of the really thrilling new wine projects out of the Willamette Valley, Chosen Family Wines utilizes the winemaking skills of top winemakers such as Jackson Holstein, Chase Renton and Thomas Savre. Founded by former NBA star Channing Frye, NBA all-star Kevin Love joined the business a few years back. Love is an Oregon basketball legend, who is still playing for the Miami Heat. It will be very exciting to see his hand in this label.
I’ve had the great chance to get to know Channing Frye who is an unabashed wine lover of all wines of the world. His thirst for learning about wine is never-ending. While playing for the Portland Trailblazers he became more and more enamored by great Oregon Pinot Noir. Channing somehow is currently balancing his brand alongside broadcasting NBA basketball games.
The wine shave improved over the past few years. I am enamored by the 2021 Chosen Family ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is coming from the Lingua Franca Vineyard. They have also made a killer new Rose from the 2022 vintage (OB, 91) which is bright and tension-filled, with beautiful red fruits. Learn more about these great new wines at chosenfamilywines.com Here are my reviews of the new Chosen Family wines.
2022 Chosen Family Rose- A 2022 Rose made from Pinot Noir grapes, this shows a smooth texture, with plenty of bright citrus fruits that parade with red currants and hints of watermelon alongside copious salty minerals. This is going to be really good when weather heats up. Drink 2024-2030- 91
2022 Chosen Family ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- An outstanding new bottling from this cooler vintage, the 2022 ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay was stored in a combination of 30% new French oak, 10% stainless, 60% neutral French oak before bottling. A core of Meyer lemon cream, white peach, toasted hazelnuts and brioche bread all greet you marvelously on the palate. Showing great texture and length, this is a seriously good bottling that is sure to satisfy any lover of Oregon Chardonnay. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2021 Chosen Family ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay- Made in a partnership with famed Lingua Franca winemaker Thomas Savre, the 2021 ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay utilizes Clonal Selection 76 from the Lingua Franca Vineyard. This comes off wonderfully flinty and nuanced, with a smooth mouthfeel. Rich honeydew melon, wet stone and kumquat rind flavors parade with plenty of salty minerals on the palate. Showing good richness from this warm vintage, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Chosen Family ‘L’Angelo Estate’ Chardonnay- Another knockout Chardonnay in this lineup, the 2021 Chosen Family ‘L’Angelo Estate’ Chardonnay is made by L’Angelo owner and winemaker Chase Renton. Once on the nose this takes on layers of white truffle that mingles well with rich orchard and citrus fruits, with stony nuances. The palate is gorgeous and opulent with a seamless texture throughout the drinking experience. Great in its full-bodied youth, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Bravo! Drink 2024-2034- 94
2022 Chosen Family ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir was stored in 70% neutral French oak before bottling. It is round and smooth on the mouth, delivering rich red and dark fruit flavors that mingle well with hints of cedar and black truffle shavings. Absolutely delicious in its bright and dense youth, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. A killer value at under 50 bucks. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Chosen Family ‘L’Angelo Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘L’Angelo Estate’ Pinot Noir is a beautiful and rich — highly tension-filled bottling by winemaker Chase Renton. Allspice, cassis, tobacco leaf and suggestions of damp earth all enter the palate, with plenty of salty nuance and richness. This is drinking beautifully, showing off the warmth of the 2021 vintage. Watch this beauty evolve over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Chosen Family ‘Salty Goats’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Salty Goats’ Pinot Noir comes from the Sonoma Coast AVA. Coming from Fort Ross-Seaview and Annapolis sites, vines for this wine date back to 2000. Fresh and vibrant, this delivers plenty of saline drenched red and dark fruit flavors alongside shades of pipe tobacco, wet gravel, and a lengthy finish. Really good now, enjoy this terroir-driven bottling over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Chosen Family ‘Salty Goats’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2021 Chosen Family ‘Salty Goats’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Diogenes Ridge Vineyard high atop Howell Mountain. Inky in the glass, this delivers cassis, anise, creme de violette and plenty of graphite character on the palate. This has gobs of minerality, staying light on its feet despite the jaw-dropping power. A total joy to savor in its full-throttle youth, enjoy this sultry and seductive Napa Cabernet now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Be sure to decant for at least an hour if enjoying now. Drink 2024-2040- 96