2000 Spirithouse Chardonnay

We had a glorious, sunny June in 2000. So, flowering was right on time for once. Then the most unique defining aspect of this vintage ensued. NO days above 90 degrees for July and August! Oregonians were treated to a delightful, pleasant summer. A vigorous Labor Day rain storm further acted to cool things down, while mitigating the dry condition of the soil going into the final ripening period. The secret for this vintage was to allow the grapes to remain on the vines well past the normal time for bloom to picking. The result, the fruit hung on the vine for a longer than usual time while retaining great acidity and structure in the juice. We believe the 2000 vintage wines equal to if not surpassing the recognized 98 and 99 vintages in Oregon. All the wines have amazing structure holding up very sweet, enchanting fruit concentration. The Chardonnays may be our most exciting ones yet from Argyle. The Pinot Noirs had fantastic dark color, a sweet fruit center, and a razor’s edge structure right from pressing time! Sweet enough to drink now, structured enough to repay long term cellaring.