2012 Westrey Chardonnay Reserve

Community Tasting Notes (3) Avg Score: 91 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View The Drunken Cyclist's profile
  • Report Issue

  1/5/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Retail $30. I was looking for a wine to give to a friend, a bit of a neophyte when it comes to wine in general and Chardonnay in particular. It seems he is a bit of a "Anything But Chardonnay" kind of bloke, but I was determined to change his mind. In my searching, I came across a number of bottles that were labeled as "sample doubles" in my inventory (meaning two bottles were sent of the same wine--the second bottle to be used in case there happened to be an issue with the first). This wine, along with a few others, however, had no initial tasting note either on my blog (www.thedrunkencyclist.com) or here on Cellar Tracker. Odd. While I contemplated handing this wine off to my friend, I stopped, realizing that it is not often that I come across a decade-old Willamette Valley Chard, so I popped the sucker. Yowza. Certainly on the verge of golden in the glass (if not already there) with a bit of citrus, loads of nuttiness, and just a hint of oak. OK, whoa. The palate is surprisingly (and welcomingly) subtle, but simultaneously robust: fruit, tartness, layers of complexity, subtle wood. Yowza, again. While I am not sure if my neophyte friend would have appreciated this wine, I sure as heck did. Whoa.
  
  www.thedrunkencyclist.com

  1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View beezer6's profile
  • Report Issue

  2/17/2015 - beezer6 wrote: 90 Points

  Taste at FHE.
  More elegant and spice drive than regular AVA. Richer nose with cinnamon-apple pie.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Dezel's profile
  • Report Issue

  12/7/2014 - Dezel wrote: 90 Points

  Westrey Willamette Valley 2012 Reserve Chardonnay (SRP $32): Medium straw in color, this beautifully crafted Chardonnay opens with inviting notes of fresh tree fruit, citrus blossom, honeysuckle, a hint of allspice, and a pleasing trail of minerality. It is lean in the mouth but attractively textured, with fresh fruit flavors that marry with subtle oak nuances giving way to a bright, mineral-tinged finish. Overall, this is a delightful Chardonnay that emphasizes purity and balance. It is easily enjoyed on its own or with food and paired wonderfully with my baked tilapia dinner. Approximately 142 cases of this wine and 4 magnums were produced. Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon. (Other info: ABV 13.5%, 35 yr old Draper vines, six barrel lot included one new and two one-year old barrels, cork enclosure)
  
  LINK: http://vinespot.blogspot.com/2014/12/quick-sip-westrey-willamette-valley.html

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.