Two for one is always a great deal! 2015 Chehalem Mountains Chardonnay by Matzinger-Davies Wine Company is precisely that.
This wine is a creation of not one but two accomplished winemakers.
Matzinger-Davis Wine Company
Matzinger-Davis Wine Company is a joined venture of husband and wife: Anna Matzinger and Michael Davis.
Both Anna and Michael are in high demand when they are not busy making their wines. Anna consults in winemaking after a long and successful tenure as winemaker and co-GM for Archery Summit in the Dundee Hills. Michael is currently an Executive Winemaker for both Rex Hill and A to Z Wineworks in Newberg, Oregon.
After spending time making wine separately, they decided to create their label. At Matzinger Davis, they focused on small lot AVA based Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Willamette Valley of Oregon and single estate Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache from the Columbia River Gorge on Oregon side.
2015 Chehalem Mountains Chardonnay – Matzinger-Davies
Grapes for 2015 Matzinger Davis Chehalem Mountain Chardonnay came from Chehalem Mountain Vineyard. This vineyard is on the southern slope of Chehalem Mountain and adjacent to the lot with Chardonnay vines planted in 1974 by Dick Erath, one of the pioneers of Oregon wines from Willamette Valley of Oregon.
The 2015 vintage was one of the warmest seasons in history, and harvest came in early. The grapes were harvested on September 4th, a few weeks earlier than in a typical year.
Interestingly, the grapes were gently whole bunch pressed, and that’s rare for white wines because typically white grapes destemmed (berries removed from stalks). After the settling, the juice was racked (transferred without filtering) to barrels for fermentation. The wine was encouraged to go through malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity. The wine remained in the barrels in contact with lees (solid deposits in wine) to add complexity until bottling in 2016.
In the Glass
Matzinger Davis Chardonnay has a pale lemon-green color or how we call it the shade of Chablis (French Chardonnay).
Aromas
On the nose, you won’t mistake it for buttery California Chard. It has refreshing aromas of lemon, green apple, honeycomb, sweet cream, and a light mineral note. Kudos for taming Willamette Valley minerality.
Flavors
It starts with baked yellow apple, lemon and nectarine and finishes up with a touch of minerality and butterscotch candy.
Finish
2015 Matzinger Davis Chehalem Mountain is in the category of Chardonnays that can unite those who love California style and those who go crazy for French.
It has a substantial body, and yet refreshing acidity. It has creamy notes, but just a touch to add compliment the apply-lemony profile of this wine. The minerality is a seamless part of this delicious wine that makes it so attractive to both camps of Chardonnay.
As you may know, Willamette Valley wines can get pricey. Well, 2015 Matzinger Davis Chehalem Chardonnay is a bargain considering its quality, source of fruit, and the talented team behind it.
Please, let us know what you think of it when you try it. Would you agree that it’s in a sweet spot between French and Californian Chardonnay?