Skip to the main content

2021Chardonnay

$95/Bottle | Acquire

2021Chardonnay

The 2021 Tenor Chardonnay was crafted from Conner Lee vineyard, Columbia Valley AVA, and La Reyna Blanca & Solaksen vineyards, Royal Slope AVA. 

The winemaking team worked with vineyard managers to restrict yields, creating concentrated, expressive berries. Canopy management and irrigation strategies were implemented to highlight the unique aspects of the vintage. Sugars accumulated early, but cool Fall temperatures allowed for flavors to catch up as sugars plateaued. Resulting in an expressive, rich, and dynamic Chardonnay.

Five French Chardonnay clones were utilized, each imparting a unique layer to the final blend. Harvest was in the early mornings of the first week of October. At the winery, the fruit was whole cluster pressed and the bulk lees allowed to settle out overnight. 

French oak barrels of varying formats were selected to create layers of complexity, new (88%) and used (12%), with fermentation taking 2-4 months. Full malolactic fermentation added weight and a luscious, creamy texture. The wine was barrel aged for 20 months and then racked off of its lees after one year. The final blend was cold stabilized in tank, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, producing only 198 cases.

Tasting Notes

The 2021 Tenor Chardonnay has the color of sunglow and wildflower honey. Intense aromatics of citrus blossom, nectarine, pineapple, and toasty brioche lead to flavors of lemon chiffon, yuzu, grilled peach, and almond paste. Tense and structured, the dense, ripe fruit gives way to quenching acidity and savory qualities. The wine finishes with ripe stone, citrus, and pome fruits, toasty oak, and a flinty mineral edge.

Labeled Appellation

Columbia Valley

Varietal Composition

100% Chardonnay

Alcohol

14.9%

Cases Produced

198

Drinkability

Now - 2033

Awards & Accolades

"The 2021 Tenor Chardonnay comes from a combination of sites including Conner Lee, Solaksen and La Reyna Blanca Vineyards. The resultant bottling is a total stunner, being very Kongsgaard meets Washington. Baking spice dusted Japanese pear with creme brûlée, honeydew melon and shades of sweetened gooseberry all mark the nose. The palate is rich and dense with incredible texture and weight — yet not coming off at all heavy. Big and bold, with bright underlying acidity, this is a joy to consume right now."

-95 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

Vineyards

Conner Lee

TENOR MASTER CONNER LEE MAP

Conner Lee Vineyard is a highly-regarded and sustainably farmed vineyard located in the Wahluke Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley in Washington State. This historic vineyard was established in 1980 with the assistance of renowned Viticulturist Dr. Walter Clore. Sandy glacial marine sediments left by the Missoula floods comprise the soils here and it is situated at an elevation of about 1100 feet.

SOIL TYPE
SOIL TYPE
CLONES PLANTED
Chardonnay: 95, Wente/75, 76 , Sauvignon Blanc: 6, Pinot Noir: 663, 113, 115 Merlot: 181, Cabernet Sauvignon: 2, 8
ASPECT TO THE SUN
North/ South
FARM PRACTICES
Sustainable
YEAR PLANTED
1980
ELEVATION
1085-1164 ft
VINE SPACING
9' x 6'
Learn More

Past VintagesExplore the Chardonnay Vintages

Left Arrow