Walter Scott X Novo Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
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Us: Walter Scott's X Novo epitomizes the winery's commitment to and vision of Chardonnay greatness in the Willamette Valley—it is jaw-dropping greatness achieved.
Explosive aromas, incredible breadth, an utterly commanding, mouth-coating palate of flavor, undulating mineral pulses through walls of fruit. Each of its elements are in perfect harmony; all of it melts over and through your senses. This is awe-inspiring Chardonnay that I always have to taste last, since nothing can follow it.
Both a genre-defining and genre-defying Willamette Chardonnay, it sets a stratospheric bar that its peers work to match while it looks to the great Chardonnays of the world and says, "bring it."
Team Walter Scott: X Novo Chardonnay is both exotic and compelling, offering an aromatic journey of golden rose, jasmine, citrus blossom, and caramelized Meyer lemon, seamlessly layered with the sharp edge of steely flint. The palate is a masterclass in balance and intensity, revealing vibrant notes of lemongrass, ripe Mirabelle plum, candied citrus, and the creamy allure of passionfruit curd. A mineral-driven backbone of wet stone adds depth, leading to a saline, irresistibly mouthwatering finish that lingers elegantly.
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.
2022 vintage notes
2022 Chardonnay of the vintage, 98 points Decanter: "A stunning Chardonnay from the ‘ifkyk’ X Novo site in the Eola-Amity Hills. X Novo is intentionally diverse 15 clones of Pinot Noir and 20 clones of Chardonnay are intertwined and planted with serious density in this tiny site. Reductive chipped flint notes give way to Hawthorne, briny oyster shell elements, and lemon oil aromas. The palate is well composed—gorgeous layers of smoked citrus grilled ripe pineapple flesh, savoury, and thirst-slaking lemon verbena. A mineral spine looks down on it all. Simply gorgeous."
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
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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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