Walter Scott X Novo Vineyard Chardonnay 2022

Walter Scott X Novo Vineyard Chardonnay 2022

Regular price$ 100.00
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If you have not discovered this yet, we'll let you in on the not-so-secret: while there are two we consider equals, there is no better example of Willamette Valley Chardonnay. End of discussion.

Understanding this wine can come from different angles— one is the more esoteric conversation of how Walter Scott's

X Novo epitomizes the winery's commitment to and vision of Chardonnay greatness in the Willamette Valley.

But we prefer to discuss the more tangible angle: the explosive aromas, the brightness meeting endless depth and volume, the stacked layers of fruit pulsing with mouthwatering freshness, the totally gonzo texture. All of the components of '22 X Novo are perfectly integrated and supportive of each other. I'm sure there's a metaphor there but I'm too busy reveling in this awe-inspiring Chardonnay to put words to it.

We need to be talking about this not as one of the Willamette's great Chardonnays but as one of the world's—it is transcendent. If wines like this are even remotely in your wheelhouse, do not miss it. -Marcus

X Novo Chardonnay is exotic and striking, an olfactory adventure scented with yellow rose, jasmine, orange blossoms, and grilled Meyer lemon harmoniously interwoven with the essence of steely flint. On the palate an effortless symphony of balance and concentration unfolds, revealing delightful flavors of lemongrass, yellow plum, candied Meyer lemon, and the luscious indulgence of a passionfruit mousse, all underscored by the captivating presence of wet stones. X Novo concludes with a salty, mouth-watering finish. -Walter Scott

2021 vintage notes

I reveled in the X Novo Chard for three full days, tasting it at different times of day and at different temps. Then I sat with my notes over a weekend, remembering the wine long after it was gone and gaining a deeper understanding of its context within Willamette Valley Chard. While I may have tasted one or two equals, I have tasted no finer Chardonnay from the state of Oregon. Ever.

We know Oregon Chardonnay. We have tasted the Willamette Chards that have pushed the scoring needle higher than ever before, including the Walter Scott wines that have done it. We know what we tasted in Walter Scott's 2021 X Novo Chardonnay and if someone doesn't give this wine a perfect score of 100, then we may have to change our longstanding position of not scoring wines and do it ourselves.

Power and vibrancy, layers and length, density with lightness, seamless from beginning to end. All just words until I experienced them all in '21 X Novo.

2021 X Novo Chard is a promise fulfilled—two, really: the vineyard blossoming into its own and the realization of Walter Scott's commitment to and vision of Chardonnay greatness. -Marcus

Team Walter Scott: X Novo Chardonnay is exotic and striking, scented with yellow rose, jasmine, orange blossoms, grilled lemon, and steely flint. The palate frames balance and concentration effortlessly, showing notes of lemongrass, candied Meyer lemon peel, passionfruit mousse, and wet stones, then welcomes a salty, mouth-watering finish. 

In 2010 Craig Williams, best known for his tenure at Joseph Phelps Vineyards, came to Oregon with his family and purchased land with the vision to establish vineyards of exceptional quality. The Williams’ turned heads, cultivating three unique sites in the Eola-Amity Hills and planting them with a notably diverse selection of plant material. 

X Novo Vineyard is located just down the east ridge of the Eola-Amity Hills, in an area known as Spring Valley. It sits on the edge of the Holmes Gap, where the Van Duzer winds funnel through the rolling hills. This site is perched at 525 feet in elevation on extremely rocky clays known as Gelderman. X Novo has over 15 clones of Pinot noir and 20 clones of Chardonnay planted in its three and a half acre site. 

2018 vintage notes

96 points Decanter: "Citrussy and mineral aromas, almost saline, with a lemon, green apple and apricot fruit character and plenty of depth. The acidity is vibrant and fresh, and the texture racy and very fine. Ken Pahlow is producing some of the most Chablis-like wines in the US – there’s no fat here, but concentration and structure provide a marvellous length. Drink 2020-2030 Alc 12.5%"

Distinct and beautifully textured Chardonnay, mixing a lemony intensity with sweet tangerine, plump summer peach, and salty minerals. The Chardonnay plantings are some of the most exciting and diverse on the West Coast, comprised of no less than fifteen clones. - Marcus

This wine is exotic and striking, scented with jasmine, gardenia, lemon blossoms, white peach, and flint. The palate frames balance and concentration effortlessly showing notes of lemon drops, candied tangerine peel, fennel, and wet stones, and welcomes a salty, mouth-watering finish. - the winery

 

 

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If you haven't found a full case (12 bottles) to buy today, start your Build a Case® order now by purchasing a few bottles online, by phone or email. If you order online, select the Build a Case® option. If by phone or email, just ask us to add the bottles to a Build a Case® order for you. You'll receive order confirmation and we'll cellar the wines for you at no charge.

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Build a Case® 

Make sure you always get a discount by using Build a Case® How it works:

If you haven't found a full case (12 bottles) to buy today, start your Build a Case®  now by purchasing a few bottles online, by phone or email. If you order online, select the Build a Case®  option. If by phone or email, just ask us to add the bottles to a Build a Case®  for you. You'll receive order confirmation and we'll cellar the wines for you until you reach a full case.

Our Wine Advice

Life's too short to drink bad wine.

We taste as much or more Oregon wine in a given year than anyone on the planet. We look for the needles in the haystacks, the wines you won't find in your local wine store. Wineries have long sought our help to sell their most limited, unique bottlings.

We are picky. We like to sell wines that we like to drink. We refer to taste the wines sell over several days; we want to know how a wine will evolve, how it pairs with food. We want to know if it truly belongs in your cellar, in your glass, and we want to provide you with guidance on how and when it'll be its best.

Our goal is to describe wines in ways that you can actually relate to. We battle against overly flowery tasting notes. You know the kind. The ones that mention things that no one has ever smelled or tasted. They're mostly B.S. and they perpetuate snobbery that we don't like.

We give you the unfiltered truth about a wine.We believe wine isn't one-size-fits-all. We get to know your tastes and preferences so that we can recommend the right wines for you.

Testimonials

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Marcus and Andy's knowledge of the wines, wineries and winemakers of the area is encyclopedic and, in my experience, second to none. They have a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of the industry and a knack for recommending wines that are 'in my wheelhouse,' but also the insight to direct me toward new discoveries. I wholeheartedly recommend them to both those in the know and those who would
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