As I sat across Hazelfern owners Bryan and Laura Liang, we talked about some winery nuances. We all agreed that one of the hardest things for a winery is dealing with patrons’ respective fragrances. A single person doused in cologne or perfume can permeate across an entire winery! Hazelfern is producing some of the most electric Chardonnay and Pinot Noir out of Oregon right now. Bryan and Laura Liang quit their corporate jobs to focus on winemaking and operations at Hazelfern, located in Newberg, Oregon. Brian’s wine education includes many hours watching YouTube videos on winemaking. Winemaking in their Portland basement wasn’t the easiest of tasks but over time Brian saw his winemaking style evolve. Laura also serves as co-winemaker and they have done a wonderful job with their wines over the past few years.
The 2021 wines were amazing by them and so are the new wines from 2022 which was a vintage saved by a warm autumn. I adore the 2021 Hazelfern ‘Little Hells’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is dense and jam-packed full of orchard and citrus fruit flavors. which is very fresh and vibrant with layers of citrus and orchard fruits. I adore the 2022 Hazelfern ‘Prime Cut’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which has a serious combination of weight, tension and flavor complexity. Learn more about this outstanding winery at https://www.hazelfern.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Hazelfern.
2023 Hazelfern Rose- This 2023 Rose was stored in all stainless steel before bottling. Watermelon and bright peach mark the nose alongside red raspberry. This is soft and fresh with copious minerals on the palate with pretty red rose water notes. Drink 2024-2029- 91
2021 Hazelfern ‘Little Hells’ Chardonnay- The 2021 ‘Little Hells’ Chardonnay comes from the Laurelwood District as this was stored in 30% new French oak before bottling. The wine features Dijon clones 76, 95 and 96. Very deeply colored in the glass, the wine opens with baking spice dusted brioche alongside pear and juicy nectarine notes. The palate shows beautiful viscosity and length with rich orchard and citrus fruits with vanilla cream accents. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2022 Hazelfern ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 Pinot Noir was stored in 22% new French oak before bottling. It comes from a range of sites in the Willamette Valley. Rich loganberry and black cherry alongside black tea notes mark the nose. The palate is very bright and plush with a smooth texture, loaded with crunchy red fruits. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2022 Hazelfern ‘Three Cedars Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This comes from a site farmed by Jessica Cortell, as the wine was stored in 25% new French oak before bottling. The offers beautiful red cherry and pomegranate seed notes on the nose alongside shades of bergamot and wet stone. Very fresh, this delivers loads of mouth-watering acidity on the palate, with very bright red fruits and citrus rind accents. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2022 Hazelfern ‘La Belle Promenade’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 Pinot Noir comes from a volcanic soil site that is high elevation. Stored in 23% new French oak, this delivers rocky soils on the nose alongside tart red fruits, blood orange zest and shades of white truffle shavings. The palate is lithe and fresh with serious tension and loads of tension. Finesse-driven and bright, only 13.2% alcohol. Enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2022 Hazelferun ‘Prime Cut’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Prime Cut’ is a barrel selection wine that was stored in 35% new French oak before bottling. Wild blackberry and black currants with anise mark the nose alongside exotic spices. The wine shows beautiful flavor density and tension with loads of salty minerals and stony accents. Great now, enjoy this beauty over the next twenty years. Drink 2024-2044- 95
2022 Hazelfern ‘Sea Ghost’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Sea Ghost’ comes from three locations set on Marine Sedimentary soils. Stored in 25% new French oak this offers diatomaceous earth and salty red fruits on the nose with kumquat rind notes. The palate is refined and loaded with bright acidity and juicy red fruits. A joy to consume now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 95
2022 Hazelfern Trousseau- Coming from the estate property, this 2022 Trousseau was stored in all neutral oak barrels before bottling. Loaded with Asian spices this offers tart red fruits on the nose with pink peppercorns. The palate is loaded with peat moss with bright red fruits. Outstanding now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93