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Crowley Wines 2018 Chardonnay
“We cannot improve on nature.”
Tyson Crowley and Evan Roberts are serious wine geeks. But in the best possible way. If you’re lucky enough to spend some time with them in the winery, you’ll find yourself immersed in the best techniques of winemaking with none of the pretension.
You’ll also find yourself talking to two guys who are as passionate about where the grapes come from as they are in process of making it. In fact, for a pair of guys who don’t own one, they’re pretty obsessed with finding exactly the right vineyards.
As proud members of the Deep Roots Coalition, Tyson and Evan are committed to working with family-owned vineyards that don’t irrigate and practice low-impact farming. The vineyards they partner with are LIVE Certified or certified organic, and they work closely with their growers to ensure that the grapes in their wine truly represent the land, climate, and season.
When making wine, they take a very light touch – eschewing additives, using native yeasts, and neutral oak. As Tyson puts it, “we value purity of expression over stylized wines and hold essential the belief that we cannot improve on nature.”
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Crowley Wines, Portland, Oregon
2018 Chardonnay
Chardonnay is having its breakout moment in Oregon. Traditionally, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are grown together in France, but Chardonnay never seemed to take in Oregon. But all that has changed in the last decade.
Of course, many wine drinkers turn up their nose at Chardonnay, expecting over-oaked butter bombs from California. But what’s so exciting is that Oregon winemakers are developing their own style. And the folks at Crowley Wines have been at the forefront of this Chardonnay revolution.
Yes, this wine has been in oak. But it’s done right, beautifully integrated with high acid and a minerality that balance each other out. This wine is a fabulous representation of the fruit and its location. There are strong aromas of white peach and orange as pear and cloves come through on the palate. Try it, you’ll like it!
A Cellar 503 selection in April 2020, Deep Roots Coalition Willamette Valley | Chardonnay
