2008 Evening Land Chardonnay Seven Springs Vineyard Summum

Even better, if only by a hair, is the 2008 Chardonnay Summum. It received the same elevage as La Source but was picked from a different parcel of the vineyard so the differences are totally terroir related. It exhibits a bit more aromatic complexity, slightly greater concentration, but otherwise more similarities than differences. At this level, those slight nuances are what you are paying for. Is it worth twice the price? I can’t say, but what can be said with certainty is that these are two of the finest Chardonnays ever produced in the Willamette Valley. Evening Land Vineyards is a group headed by movie magnate Mark Tarlov that also owns Pinot vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Santa Rita Hills and is making wines in Burgundy. They gained control of one of the Willamette Valley’s prized properties, Seven Springs Vineyard, and created an immediate sensation by signing on Dominique Lafon of Comte Lafon in Burgundy as consulting winemaker. The Evening Land group is also making a major effort to restore the health and vitality of Seven Springs. The most recent development is the addition of renowned Master Sommelier Larry Stone as President and GM of the group in August 2010. Over the past 2-3 years there has been an awakening among some of the Willamette Valley’s most distinguished vignerons that their region is capable of producing world class Chardonnay. With Dominique Lafon and Larry Stone on board, there is no question that Evening Lands will be playing a starring role in this drama. There are now two serious Gamay producers in the Willamette Valley, Doug Tunnell of Brick House being the other. www.eveninglandvineyard.com