I wonder if the grapes that went into Bryn Mawr Estate Chardonnay 2016 enjoyed the valley view from the hill the grew on as much as we did?
Bryn Mawr Vineyards
The view from Bryn Mawr’s new tasting room is spectacular, especially in the evening hours. Bryn Mawr is a boutique winery located in the Eola Amity AVA in the heart of Willamette Valley in Oregon. They are a relative newcomer to the valley. In 2010 John and Kathy Lauer acquired the property with just four acres of planted vines and a hope to replicate the neighboring wineries’ success. They also took a chance with Rachel Rose, an inspiring young winemaker who agreed to live on-site and give the vineyards her undivided attention.
Lucky for Lauer’s mother nature gave them a boost with back to back almost ideal vintages with an abundance of high-quality fruit from 2014 through 2018. It helped the young winery to ramp up production and become a truly boutique winery.
Bryn Mawr Estate Chardonnay 2016
The fruit for 2016 Bryn Mawr Chardonnay came from the estate vineyard in the Eola Amity AVA. 2016 was third in a row warm vintage for Willamette Valley. The spring came early, followed by hot, dry summer and early harvest that came two to three weeks ahead of schedule. If there’s such a thing as ideal vintage, 2016 was it.
In the Glass
Bryn Mawr Chardonnay was a reflection of both warm vintage and Eola Amity AVA.
Kudos for consistency. It delivers on the palate what it promises on the nose. It’s creamy and mineral, but not too much. It has a classic Chardonnay fruit profile with ripe yellow apples and Meyer lemon (sweeter lemon). The tropical white flowers add delicate sweet aromas.
It feels like a full-bodied wine, but there’s enough acidity to balance the ripe fruit.
Finish
2016 Bryn Mawr Estate Chardonnay is in the category that can unite those fans of buttery California style and lovers of finessed French Chards. More and more Oregon winemakers produce it in this style.
We love to see this trend because it’s a sweet spot that makes Willamette Valley wines attractive to all Chardonnay lovers.
Lastly, if you’re wineswinging in Willamette Valley, and looking for Instagramable wineries, stop by Bryn Mawr. You’ll get both good wine and great pics.