Product Description:

"This label of Chardonnay has been un-oak-affected since its first vintage in 1989. The aroma has lovely Chardonnay aromas of apple blossom, pear and apple fruit, citrus with a hint of spice cake. The flavor includes all the above and is texturally rich, unctuous, and with a middle palate of pear tart. The finish is fresh and lengthy." -Winery

VINTAGE NOTES:
"The 2006 vintage was a very comfortable vintage with very little drama. Spring brought plenty of sunshine and heat to set an extraordinarily large crop. This is quite a contract to 2004 and 2005 poor fruit set vintages. 2006 had the third highest heat units since 1983. Interestingly, the top 5 heat summations include three years in this new millennium. Has our transition into the ‘New Millennium’ led to warmer summers?"

"September brought us a bit of a scare with a week of precipitation accumulation of about 0.6 inches and cool temperatures, but the rain backed off and we saw temperatures in the mid 80’s F, with a very desiccating east wind. A most glorious “Indian Summer” ensued throughout the Northwest USA. Wineries and vineyards were able to spread their operation into a smooth steady pace without the usual threat of inclement weather." -Winemaker

ESTATE:
"Prospecting the New World's coolest latitudes, Brian Croser and Rollin Soles staked a claim in Oregon's Willamette Valley, a place ideal for late season ripened Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit. Since 1987, Argyle Winery has produced world-class methode champenoise Sparkling wine, barrel fermented Chardonnay and 'silky' textured Pinot Noir from low yielding vines on winery farmed hillside slopes. Argyle was named "OREGON'S PREMIER WINERY" by Wine Spectator in 2000."

"Argyle farms three vineyards: Knudsen Vineyard, Stoller Vineyard and Lone Star Vineyard. The 120 acre Knudsen Vineyard was first planted between 1972 & 1974. The high elevation blocks of this landmark Dundee Hills site are key components in Argyle's sparkling wines. Knudsen provides Argyle a mix of old vine blocks and new high density blocks planted with "Old World" Dijon clones."

"Just south of Knudsen Vineyard in the Dundee Hills sits Stoller Vineyard. First planted in 1995, Stoller, like Knudsen, is planted using state of the art viticultural techniques. Stoller Vineyard has produced some of Oregon's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay."

"In 1996 Argyle purchased a spectacular 160 acre vineyard site in the east slopes of Eola Hills, known as Lone Star Vineyard. Located 15 miles south of Argyle's winery in Dundee, this warm site is planted primarily to Dijon clones of Pinot Noir. This vineyard has the potential to be one of Oregon's best Pinot Noir vineyards."

"All grapes are hand harvested into small baskets and transported to the winery. Grapes are chilled overnight to 35F before crushing the next day. Chilling preserves the ripe fruit characteristics and naturally limits oxidation." -Winery<

SUSTAINABLE FARMING:
"LIVE (Low Input Viticulture & Enology) is a non profit organization providing education and certification for vineyards using international standards of sustainable viticulture practices in wine grape production. These practices are based on a score system consisting of basic required practices, prohibited practices and numerous ecological options."

"Argyle Winery is very proud to be one of the first LIVE Certified Sustainable wineries in Oregon and to support LIVE as very worthy cause. LIVE represents a civic and ecological responsibility very close to our hearts. The benefits of sustainability are clear - the practices are gentle on the earth, and we believe they result in brighter, more flavorful wine that better reflect the characteristics of the land from which they are grown. " -Winery