2009 ROCO Chardonnay

Wines NW - Wines of the Week

ROCO Winery is the culmination of a dream by Rollin Soles – the winemaking force behind Argyle Winery – and his wife Corby Stonebraker-Soles. Both partners have been intimately involved in the Oregon wine industry for several decades. The Thunderbird petroglyph is a representation of ancient native art found in the Columbia Gorge. Aromas of light pear and citrus lead to a delicate palate featuring flavors of ripe pear, grapefruit and vanilla. - Chuck Hill

Wine Spectator - 90 points

A polished white, with a pretty clove and cream overlay to the melon and citrus flavors, finishing gracefully. 100 cases made. - Harvey Steiman

Tasting Notes

A lovely blend of citrus in the nose: nectarine, orange peels and maybe apple. Very crisp and fresh in both the nose and on the pallet. There is a wondrous crème fraiche texture in the mouth that transports the fresh crisp flavors to a new height. Subtle oak nuances provide a cradle to hold the lovely mineral characteristics in the same palm as the creamy fruit. This provides a complex, refreshing wine that tastes great with fish, fowl and the lovely pea and ginger soup we had with it this evening.

Production Notes

Early in the season the vines set an “interesting” mix of normal and tiny berries on the clusters. This is a good thing as each size berry ripens at a different rate - thus adding complexity of flavors to the wine.

In July, we experienced a number of days where the evening temperatures did not drop to their normal “chill”. Oregonians flocked to the Pacific Oceanside and mountain rivers for relief from the warm weather. What I didn’t expect was that this brief event would speed up the rate that the vines matured the fruit regardless of the vineyard elevation.

Significant amounts of cold rain fell over Labor Day Weekend. Fortunately, the fruit was not ripe enough to become prey to mold infections.

Then, in mid-September we experienced a typical event where very warm, dry air whips into the Valley from the Columbia River Gorge to the east. This dry wind can desiccate ripe berries, causing the berries to lose connection to the vine. At Wits End, we have a full time spring from which we irrigate the vines just enough BEFORE the “furnace” comes on, to allow the vine to withstand the drying effects of this high desert wind.

The Chardonnay was picked at least a week before the Pinot noir. Usually we can say that every 200' rise in elevation can mean 10 days difference in ripening and picking (yield for yield). This vintage all the grape varietals came in right after the other.

After the east winds, the weather cooled down to normal Oregon Fall temperatures and beautiful conditions brought rich, ripe luscious fruit to our fermenters.

Purchase This Wine

$25.00 per bottle

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