2022 twill Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay

Intense aromas of lime leaf, nutmeg, coconut, lemon oil, pastry, saline and toasted grain lead the opening. With time, notes of tangerine, green apple, gardenia and matchstick appear on the aromatics and combine with bass notes of peach and fresh pineapple. On taste, loads of sinewy citrus and chalky stone fruit notes including tangerine, key lime, and nectarine are followed with resonating flavors of saline and cream. Mouthwatering and brimming with extract. The balance of texture and brightness on the palate highlight the powerful nature of chardonnay. 2022 Chardonnays are not to be missed.

250 Cases Produced

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Viticulture

Vineyards
1. Molly’s Vineyard – NE Willamette Valley (Nearby Cascade Foothills) – Low elevation, riverside Planted: 2000 Clones: 75,96, 95 originally planted | Some Pinot Noir grafted to clones Wente, Draper, 352 in 2019 on Missoula Flood Soils Farming: Dry-Farmed, Uncertified Organic Percentage in this blend: 46% Profile: white floral notes, star fruit, citrus zest, firm
2. Stormy Morning Vineyard – Tualatin Hills AVA – medium elevation (400ft), south facing. Fog rolls through late summer mornings along the 26. Planted: 2014 Clones: Wente and 96 Farming: Dry-Farmed, Uncertified Organic Percentage in this blend: 24% Profile: saline, lime leaf, chiseled
3. Vojtilla Vineyard – Chehalem Mountains AVA – High elevation (600ft), east facing. Grown between a corridor of pines with cooling air rising from the foothills of the Cascades. Planted: 1993 Clones: 96 and 76 Farming: Dry-Farmed, Uncertified Organic Percentage in this blend: 30% Profile: Citrus blossoms and just ripe nectarines, firm

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Vinification

2022 began in earnest following a snowstorm in March, slowed to a chill in April, recovered towards beautiful flowering weather in June with ideal moisture stored leading to a long, warm harvest window that extended well into October. It very much reminded me of a dramatic race scene in which a car or person comes speeding out of the gates, takes a stumble or loses a tire and finds a way to win the race. It proved to be an outstanding quality vintage for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Plenty of dry extract, flavor and firm acidity.
Harvest
Stormy Morning - 9/29 (both blocks of Wente and the 96)
Molly’s - 10/4 (both hillside, and shopblock)
Vojtilla - 10/6 (both 76 and 96) - 30% whole bunch pressed utilizing champagne press cycles - 70% crushed and pressed utilizing champagne press cycles - Two Press fractions for each lot - First press fraction (hearts) lightly sulfured while the second press fractions (tailles) receives no sulfur - Settled overnight before barreling down

Percentages and Vessels for Fermentation
Fermentation in the highest quality French and Austrian Puncheons 26% new wood (600L - Stockinger) 35% x2 fills (600L and 300L - Damy) 39% three fills or greater (500L and 600L - D&J and Damy)

Fining/Filtration: Lightly fined with Casein, followed by light bentonite, and a polish filter with size 300 micron prior to bottling in late February 2024 (11 months of élevage in barrel followed by six months élevage in tank with lees)