Reviews & Ratings

2005 Chehalem Chardonnay "Ian's Reserve"

Winery: Chehalem

Vintage: 2005

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Ian's Reserve"

Wine Category: Chardonnay

Grape blend: 100% Chardonnay

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Oregon

State or country: OR

Price: $34

Cases produced: 317

KWG Score: 89.5 (based on 2 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good (89.99-87)

Review date: June 24, 2008

Wine Review: This wine was Ken’s favorite wine from our blind tasting of Oregon Chardonnays. This light yellow wine opens with a light buttery oak like bouquet. On the palate, this medium bodied wine is smooth, creamy, and shows distinguished apricot and integrated oak like flavors. The finish is dry and quite prolonged. This wine would pair nicely with halibut with crab stuffing. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: One of the top Chardonnays we’ve made. Reminiscent of the best wines from the Chardonnay homeland, there are complex, fascinating Chablis-like herbal and mineral aromatics, spread with honey, citrus, biscuit, and spice, that continue to be refreshed and amped up by the wine’s bright acidity. The weight of this wine from a cool year is impressive, showing an oily viscosity, great fresh balance, broadness, and a long finish. The mid-palate is creamy and broad, showing the same honey, citrus, and, especially, mineral notes. It’s cool-vintage acid structure and promise shows in a bright, tart, firm finish. I couldn’t be more pleased.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Chehalem 2005 Ian's Reserve Chardonnay.