Past vintages of Yamhill Carlton Chardonnay


2021 Yamhill Carlton Chardonnay

92 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$48
label-blossoms from big table farm

I often say pinot from Yamhill Carlton has a core of power and strength that the fruit and tannin revolve around – I would say similar for the chardonnay – ripeness  and richness work with the fruit, oak and yes, a little bit of tannin that will make your mouth want more, and a bite to go with it!

Childhood memories of white and yellow gummy bears ignite a playful approachability to a wine with deep complexity. Hints of jasmine pearls, red anjou pears, and lemongrass hold your attention just long enough to allow the lingering river rock minerality to shine through.  It’s impossible to ignore the desire to pair this with every meal. Well-rounded, daily drinker.

scores -
93 pts — Paul Gregutt
93 pts — Wine Enthusiast
93 pts — Vinous
94 pts — Wine & Spirits
93 pts — James Suckling


Image collage representing the 2019 Yamhill Carlton Chardonay – Big Table Farm

2019 Yamhill Carlton Chardonnay

90 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$48 (sold out)
 label- Blossoms that feed Clare’s bees

Like the Pinot Noir version, this might be our best effort yet, or maybe the 2019 growing season was particularly kind to our homecourt AVA.  Nevertheless we will take the deliciousness no matter how it came about.  Richness balanced with raciness is how I would describe this wine, and regardless of what’s inside the bottle the label is gorgeous!

Lush. Elaborate layers of fresh garden honey, rich papaya and spiced hazelnuts energize the taste buds. Subtle impressions of yuzu cheesecake, graham cracker crust and warm caramel are braced by a polished river-rock texture and a revitalizing finish. Reminiscent of a quick splash from a cold creek during a warm afternoon stroll in the countryside.

scores-
93 pts—Owen Bargreen

past vintages (sold out)


Image collage representing the 2018 Yamhill Carlton Chardonay – Big Table Farm

2018 Yamhill Carlton Chardonnay

90 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$48(sold out)
label- flowers that feed Clare’s bees

The goal of our AVA designated chardonnays is to show case what each is about, and I believe both our AVA Chardonnays  do that. The Yamhill-Carlton is a bit broader and riper, reflecting the slightly warmer AVA and the power that it imparts on its wines, both chardonnay and Pinot noir.

tasting notes-
A leisurely Sunday stroll down a forgotten gravel road, winding through rolling fields of sun-kissed grains. Elegant and graceful with hints of rich star-fruit and papaya that develop into honeycombs and Meyer lemon meringue. Balanced and savory with faint impressions of crushed sea-shells, each sip leads towards a long finish reminiscent of a lingering west coast sunset.

scores -
93 pts — Purely Domestic Wine Report

past vintages (sold out)


Image collage representing the 2017 Yamhill Carlton Chardonay – Big Table Farm

2017 Yamhill Carlton Chardonnay

87 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$75 (sold out)
label - big table fruit tree blossoms

We realized last year that we work with 7 different chardonnay sites and that after we make the elusive queen there was still an opportunity to make some regionally focused wines, hence this wine and a second from the Eola Amity hills.  Several sites in each AVA comprise both wines.  The YC is mineral driven, some fruit of course, very dry with some tannin – delicious now but will also reward if cellared.  I hope you love these chardonnays as much as we do!

tasting notes -
Beautiful notes of melon, toast and baked apple. There is a bright acidity that wakes you up and gives way to the persistent mineral and river rock expression that carries through the long finish.

scores —
93 pts — Washington Wine Blog
95 pts — Purely Domestic Wine Report


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