2022 Duck Pond Cellars Chardonnay Oregon - "Willamette Valley Legacy Wines"

12.5

This dry Chardonnay expresses delicate notes of lean citrus, yellow apple, and blossom with subtle hints of mincrals, lemon curd, and blanched almonds. A round, smooth texture pairs with a persistent citrus-driven finish. Enjoy well-chilled.

A carefully selected blend from quality sites throughout Oregon offers aromatic complexity and finesse. Crafted from thoughtfully chosen vineyards that highlight the diverse characteristics of Oregon, we blend individually fermented lots to craft a wine of beauty and grace.

Individual lots of Chardonnay grapes were pressed and fermented separately at low temperatures to ensure freshness and aromatic intensity. Lees contact following malolactic fermentation contributed richness and mouthfeel, helping build complexity and balance.

A classic, elegant Oregon vintage, the 2022 growing season began with a cool and wet spring. The vines emerged from dormancy in mid April, when a few nights of frost at budbreak caused concern about diminished yields, but vines generally rebounded well from the event, and a cool month ot June pushed bloom out to the summer solstice, coinciding with a warming event that produced complete flowering and an excellent fruit set characterized by large cluster size. In July, August, and September, the weather was warm and dry, and the vines had
access to plenty of soil moisture from the spring rains. Allowing for rapid growth. The continuation of fair weather through late October allowed for additional hang time and flavor development while keeping the wines in pertect balance until harvest began in mid-October.