Oregon grows Chardonnay that holds its own against Burgundy. The Arterberry Maresh Chardonnay 2018 makes that clear. A masterclass in balance, purity, and sense of place, made from vines planted in 1983 on the iron-rich Jory soils of the Dundee Hills.
Jim Maresh Jr. works with restraint. Fermentation and aging in neutral oak barrels, leaving the vineyard to do the talking. Dry farming forces the roots to dig deeper for water. Concentration you don’t get any other way.
In the glass a luminous pale gold. The nose offers fresh lemon, white peach, and green apple, with vanilla, roasted almond, and wet stone underneath. On the palate everything sits in place: vibrant acidity holds the structure, fruit gets to express itself fully. A silky texture, a focused mineral finish that lingers. Bottle age has added complexity without costing freshness.
Versatile at the table. Grilled halibut with lemon beurre blanc, creamy risottos. Serve it slightly cool in a Burgundy stem. The aromatic layers unfold gradually.
The Arterberry Maresh 2018 represents what Oregon does best. Respect for Old World tradition, translated to a distinctly American sense of place. For collectors looking for alternatives to high-priced Burgundy, real evidence that great Chardonnay knows no borders.
More information: bestofwines.com
Sources
- Producer (official site)
- Oregon Wine Board: oregonwine.org
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