2018 Adelsheim, Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains, Staking Claim (RT92+) Maintaining its light goldish hue and crafted from 100% Chehalem Mountains fruit, the bouquet is all about its terroir as sappy notes of white peach and underripe white melon interweave with damp soil, wet forest leaves in Fall, wet rock, and an accent of tuffaceous dustiness. There is little oak evident, despite being aged in a combination of barrique and 500 liter puncheons, of which 37% were new, and the wine only saw very limited malolactic fermentation of less than 10%, which its freshness coefficient notably. The palate shows super focused fruit and lively acidity, lending to its zesty, bright finish. This will soften and round out a bit with proper cellaring, but it will maintain its fresh style, which in my view is the antithesis of California, fully malo’ed, buttery Chardonnay. Drink now-2028+
