Vincent Royer Vineyard Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, USA 2022

A superb, small-production Chardonnay from Vincent Fritzsche, one of Oregon’s quietly respected winemakers, sourced from Royer Vineyard’s rocky red volcanic soils in the windswept Eola-Amity Hills. Crafted from Dijon clones, the grapes are dry-farmed and picked for freshness, then whole-cluster pressed, naturally fermented in French oak and aged on the lees for 18 months, with just 20% new barrels. The result is energetic and beautifully precise, offering citrus, crisp orchard fruit and floral notes layered with flinty minerality and a distinctive salty, umami finish. Fresh, textured and quietly complex, it delivers the tension and finesse that make this corner of Oregon so exciting. A compelling Burgundy lover’s Chardonnay with real character and a strong sense of place.