We focus our attention to one of Oregon’s historic wineries, dating back to 1971. Adelsheim’s roots began in the north of the Willamette Valley in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Visionary David Adelsheim had previously worked in Beaune as well as The Eyrie Vineyards before starting his own winery in Oregon. Having spent time in Burgundy, he saw the potential for producing Pinot Noir in Oregon.
Today Adelsheim now owns nearly 200 acres of land, with 180 acres of vineyards as they produce a brilliant range of wines — from Rose to stony Pinot Noir. Vineyard sites range from high elevation to low elevation, as well as volcanic and sedimentary soils.
At the helm is their talented winemaker, Gina Hennen, who in former years worked as semiconductor engineer for seven years in both Oregon and Dublin, Ireland. A former graduate of Reed College, Gina moved back to the Pacific Northwest to focus on winemaking.
I love the new wines. Check out the 2022 Adelsheim ‘Breaking Ground’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is marvelously viscous and fresh. I adored the new 2022 Adelsheim ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which has amazing purity of red fruits. Learn more about these beautiful new releases at http://www.adelsheim.com Here are the excellent new release wines by Adelsheim.
2017 Adelshiem ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- Coming from the Bryan Creek Vineyard, the 2017 Adelshiem ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine delivers juicy melon and peaches on the palate with citrus zest dusted brioche notes. Rich and full, with an elegant mousse, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2019 Adelsheim ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- The 2019 ‘Brut Rose’ stands with a beautiful salmon hue in the glass. On the nose this takes on cran-pomegranate and orange zest aromatics with red rose petals and shades of yellow plum. The palate is wonderfully dense with a smooth mouthfeel. This is powerful stuff, showing good richness alongside loads of salty minerals. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2024 Adelsheim Rose- Made from Willamette Valley Pinot Noir grapes, this 2024 Rose shows bright red fruits, with starfruit and citrus rind accents. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90
2021 Adelsheim ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- An excellent edition of this entry level bottling, the 2023 ’Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay shows pear and banana bread flavors that meld well with sea salt dusted green apple. Lively and fresh, showing a smooth texture and bright underlying acidity, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031-91
2022 Adelsheim ‘Breaking Ground’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2022 ‘Breaking Ground’ Chardonnay comes from the Chehalem Mountain AVA. It is soft and delicious stuff to consume now, with its core of melon fruits alongside French bread and salty nuances. Full and fat on the tongue, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Don’t serve too cold! Drink 2025-2033- 93
2022 Adelsheim ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Sourced from this Ribbon Ridge estate, the 2022 ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ is a rich and viscous effort, loaded with dense melon and tropical fruit flavors, alongside a brisk sense of minerality on the palate. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94
2023 Adelsheim ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir is a really nice value. It is soft and supple on the mouth with a terrific texture. Loaded with bright red and black fruits, this bears bay leaf and tobacco nuances on the palate. Fresh and also quite viscous, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2022 Adelsheim ‘Breaking Ground’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Breaking Ground’ is a tribute to the Chehalem Mountain AVA where Dick Adelshiem first planted back in 1978. The freshness is terrific as loganberry and red currant fruits collide with blood orange zest, black truffle shavings and damp earthy notes. Complex and delicious to consume now, watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2022 Adelsheim ‘Ribbon Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Ribbon Springs Vineyard is the largest of the Adelsheim estate vineyards as this location is set on ancient marine sedimentary soils. Gorgeous red florals mark the nose alongside orange peel, menthol and shades of pomegranate seed. The palate is rich and viscous with amazing tension, texture and verve, as well as length. Generous and also showing good underlying freshness, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 95
2022 Adelsheim ‘Laurel Leaf Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Laurel Leaf Vineyard is neighboring Bald Peak which is the highest point in the Willamette Valley and is set on Laurelwood soils. This 2022 Pinot Noir opens with wild blackberry and black raspberry notes on the nose with shades of peat moss and salted kumquat. The palate is smooth and refined with a terrific combination of texture and finesse. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2022 Adelsheim ‘Boulder Bluff Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Boulder Bluff’ Pinot Noir comes from this location that is set on a steep, southern aspect in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It is fresh and viscous stuff, offering salmonberry and boysenberry flavors that combine with black tea and suggestions of crushed wet rock on the palate. This obviously has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2025-2040- 94