Academie Ferveur Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, USA 2024

Ferveur is one of the inaugural wines from Académie, the Willamette Valley project founded by winemaker Thomas Savre with Dominique Lafon, Bertrand and Anne-Sophie de Villaine, and Joshua Wludyka. The philosophy is very Burgundian in its rigor, but the stated goal is not to make “Burgundy in Oregon” it is to explore what Chardonnay can become in the Willamette Valley. 

The 2024 Ferveur is sourced from vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley, concentrated in the Chehalem Mountains and Eola-Amity Hills. It is 100% Chardonnay, fermented with native yeast and aged in a combination of stainless steel and French oak, with 40% new oak. Production was just 2,280 bottles, making this a very limited wine. Ferveur is all about precision, tension and minerality rather than richness for richness’s sake. Lemon, green apple, white peach and white flowers lead into a beautifully focused palate with subtle hazelnut, restrained French oak and a long, chalky finish. This is serious, cellar-worthy Willamette Valley Chardonnay and exactly the kind of wine that should have Burgundy collectors paying very close attention.