Walter Scott - Chardonnay X-Novo Vineyard 2023

Walter Scott Wines is a small Oregon winery specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc from exceptional vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Their focus is to produce wines of elegance and purity, while conveying transparency of site and the character of the vintage.

The winery is located in the Eola-Amity Hills, surrounded by some of the Willamette Valley's most historic vineyards and overlooking the Cascade Range. Ken and Erica's love for winemaking is apparent in everything they do. They pour everything they have (including their life savings) into what they do and it shows.

The name - Walter Scott - honors two men who meant the world to Ken. Walter, Ken's grandfather, was a flight engineer for Trans World Airlines. Walter always strived to make his dreams become reality. He was dynamic and adventurous; he did everything from building homes to riding motorcycles to flying planes. His influence taught Ken that there are no limits to what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it. Scott was Ken's nephew. Although his time was short, Scott was fearless. Much like his great grandfather, he never shied away from anything. Scott’s departure taught Ken that life is very short and you must act on your ambitions because you never know when your chance will pass.

X Novo stands out with a remarkably diverse 20 clones of Chardonnay, intricately woven and densely spaced within the 2-acre block. Situated in the coveted Spring Valley of the southern Eola-Amity, X Novo occupies the edge of the Holmes Gap, where the invigorating Van Duzer winds sweep through the undulating hills. This unique site reveals exceptionally rocky Gelderman clays, intensifying concentration of its wine. In 2021, an adjacent 20-acre plot of land consisting of existing older vines and cultivable land was acquired and integrated into the original site. Walter Scott sources the entirety of the original plantings, harvesting them at the same time and co-fermenting the block in order to show the complexity possible with this diverse crop.

X Novo Chardonnay is both exotic and compelling, offering an aromatic journey of golden rose, jasmine, citrus blossom, and caramelized Meyer lemon, seamlessly layered with the sharp edge of steely flint. The palate is a masterclass in balance and intensity, revealing vibrant notes of lemongrass, ripe Mirabelle plum, candied citrus, and the creamy allure of passionfruit curd. A mineral-driven backbone of wet stone adds depth, leading to a saline, irresistibly mouthwatering finish that lingers elegantly.

“One of the finest Chardonnays you will taste in Oregon, the very flinty 2023 ‘X Novo Vineyard’ Chardonnay is a total headturner that has a long way to go in the cellar. On the nose this shows orange blossom and lemon rind tones that combine with rich melon fruits, nutty accents and shades of wet pavement. Very reductive and fat on the mouth, with a dazzling sense of tension and great midpalate weight, it has some serious power that would make you shocked that it comes from a slightly cooler vintage.” - 97 Points, Owen Barren

Producer: Walter Scott

Country: USA

Region: Oregon

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Willamette Valley

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml