Fossil and Fawn Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2023
We have 10 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
The Fossil & Fawn Willamette Valley Chardonnay is from the esteemed Willamette Valley, Oregon— a region renowned for its cool climate and diverse soils. This Chardonnay originates from vineyards planted on ancient shale soils, a unique geological feature that imparts a distinctive minerality to the wines.
The Wine
This Chardonnay displays a vibrant fruit profile with aromas of lemon, lime, tarragon, tangerine, ginger, lychee, and peach, complemented by subtle notes of white flowers, chalky soil, and wet stone minerality. On the palate, the wine is light and lean with a vibrant acidity that invigorates the senses. Flavors of grapefruit, tangerine, and salty sea brine dominate, leaving a refreshing and lingering finish. The wine is aged in a combination of older French oak and newer Oregon oak, resulting in a rich yet restrained character – think fresh brioche topped with honeycomb spiked with slivers of preserved lemon.
The People
Fossil & Fawn, born from a desire to make wines that truly reflect the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley, embodies a commitment to minimal intervention and sustainable viticulture. The winery focuses on cultivating healthy grapes and utilizing native yeasts for fermentation. This approach allows the vineyard to express itself authentically, resulting in wines that are both delicious and age-worthy.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
The Willamette Valley, nestled in Oregon, is a region renowned for its cool-climate wines, particularly its Pinot Noir. While Pinot Noir is its most celebrated variety, the valley is also home to other cool climate varieties like Chardonnay and Riesling. The region's unique terroir, characterized by rolling hills, volcanic and sedimentary soils, and a maritime climate influence, contributes to the elegance and complexity of its wines. The wines of the Willamette Valley offer a delicate balance between fruit, acidity, and earthiness. Its increasingly growing reputation places it among the world’s top regions for Pinot Noir.
Oregon - Willamette Valley
Chardonnay, one of the world's most versatile and beloved white grape varieties, showcases a remarkable spectrum of styles, from the lean, mineral-driven expressions of Chablis in France to the rich, buttery, and oak-aged versions from California's Napa Valley. Its adaptability extends to cooler climates such as Burgundy, where it achieves elegance and complexity, and to regions like Australia's Yarra Valley, known for producing vibrant and fruit-forward renditions. This grape's ability to reflect its terroir, coupled with winemaking techniques, results in a wide array of profiles, including unoaked, crisp varieties with apple and citrus notes, to full-bodied wines with tropical fruit flavors and creamy textures.
