Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2021

Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Archery Summit cultivates this wine on the volcanic and clay-limestone slopes of the Dundee Hills appellation in Oregon. The vines benefit from a cool, oceanic climate, tempered by the Pacific Ocean, which promotes slow and even ripening of the grapes. The plots, planted on red basalt soils known as Jory, offer natural drainage and good water retention, allowing the wine to express with precision the finesse and minerality characteristic of this terroir.

Archery Summit Dundee Hills Chardonnay is made from hand-harvested grapes from selected parcels in the Dundee Hills. The grapes are carefully sorted before gentle pressing. The must is then fermented in oak barrels, primarily French oak, to preserve the purity of the fruit while adding complexity and texture. The wine is aged on its fine lees for several months, with measured stirring, before bottling, to achieve a subtle balance between freshness, volume on the palate, and a precise expression of the volcanic terroir of the Dundee Hills.

This wine reveals notes of green apple , ripe pear , and citrus , complemented by floral touches of white blossom and honeysuckle . Delicate nuances of vanilla , sweet spices , and a light toasty oak character mingle with a subtle mineral backbone. The palate presents a creamy texture balanced by lively acidity , offering a sensation that is both ample and taut, with a persistent and precise finish that highlights the purity of the fruit and the elegance of the terroir.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that revitalized the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition decimated the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained. It wasn't until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was primarily known for producing fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were established (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976, a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris." It pitted the greatest French wines against the new American upstarts. On May 24th, an unexpected result shook the wine world, as, to everyone's surprise, the United States emerged victorious. This competition, however, remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. While California largely dominates the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world, and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.