WTN: Tale of two chardonnays

[Jenise]

The California entrant:
2018 Saintsbury Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyards Carneros
Rather sybaritic, even for California and the vintage, pleasant but not memorable, with the usual apple etc. suspects.

Now compare the one from Oregon:
2018 Stoller Chardonnay Reserve Dundee Hills
Bought at the winery because I liked it, but sitting down to a whole bottle was truly a Next Level experience. Very pale yellow, steely nose with apples and white grapefruit, flinty minerality, Burgundian. Finish goes on and on. Stunning, just stunning. This is the American chardonnay of my dreams, already plotting to have a friend in Willamette help me get more.

I have the following in my cellar. It was acquired as a gift from the winery. Thanks to Berserkers and Mr. Bueker. Seems like I could have a winner.

Green,Patricia Chardonnay Durant Vineyard , Dundee Hills, OR 2017

[David M. Bueker]

Jenise,

I have heard good things about Stoller, but never had the pleasure. Maybe…maybe I will seek some out.

Who am I kidding? Of course I will.

Very surprised at the mediocre Saintsbury.

[Jenise]

Jenise,

I have heard good things about Stoller, but never had the pleasure. Maybe…maybe I will seek some out.

Who am I kidding? Of course I will.

Very surprised at the mediocre Saintsbury.

It was just alright. Totally drinkable but lacking any special attributes (I've been a fan of Sangiocomo chardonnays since Ravenswood's long ago), I wouldn't even have posted a TN on it without having had the magnificent Stoller the next night to compare it to. Yes, Stoller should be on your radar. I was very, very impressed when we visited last October, and I'd only known them from their entry level wines. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't realize the range and quality of what they do. But now they're in my top tier of Oregon wines.