Bergstrom - "OLD STONES" Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2021 750ml (13.5% abv)

Old Stones is proof that Bergstrom's expertise in crafting Burgundian wine in Willamette is not limited to just Pinot Noir, as we would put this powerful & mineral-driven white up with any $60-70 P. Fuisse or Chablis.

this cuvee is the younger sibling to Bergstrom's flagship Sigrid release (which would be $100+), Old Stones is a blend of all estate fruit from: Bergström, Winery Block, La Spirale, Silice, & Le Pré du Col Vineyards in Dundee Hills, Ribbon Ridge, and Chehalem Mountains AVAs. Chardonnay represents about 15% of total Bergström estate acreage.

vines average 25 years old, Balanced blend of marine sedimentary sand on sandstone bedrock/shales and red, volcanic soils on basalt, Primarily south-facing at elevations between 375 & 500 feet

93 pts James Suckling 92 pts Vinous

notes from the winemaker: A pale, straw-colored wine with a green hue that is sure to transport you to the sea with its salty succulence and crushed oyster shell notes. Acacia flowers, white pepper, and pear are highlights of an intensely floral expression. Crisp flavors of lime and stone fruit ensure a delightfully light-on-it’s-feet mouthfeel with electric acidity and a long finish.

creamy texture yet remains vibrant with impeccable acidity, seamless oak integration, crushed oyster shell minerality, a certain flinty-ness that is rare in new world Chard, lemon zest, green apple, hazelnut, satiny, crystalline, luxurious, complex, delicious, a showstopper

region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

varietal: Chardonnay

style: white

farming/cellar: biodynamic farming, Whole-cluster,”champagne-style,” gentle, and lengthy press, Native fermentation in 10-15% new French oak barriques and select large format vessels (oval foudres, puncheons, and demi-muids), 100% malolactic and alcoholic fermentation (no residual sugars or malic acids), 18 months élevage on lees, Polishing filtration prior to bottling

pairing: