2021 Tan Fruit - Chardonnay Willamette Valley Tank Fruit
2021 Tan Fruit Chardonnay — Willamette Valley Tank Fruit
Tan Fruit is the personal project of Jim Maresh, the renowned winemaker behind Arterberry Maresh, crafted to explore fruit beyond his family estate. Production remains tiny—only a handful of barrels from each site—allowing Maresh to push boundaries while staying true to the Willamette Valley’s cool-climate Chardonnay spirit.
Vineyard sources & vintage
The 2021 Tank Fruit primarily draws from White Walnut Vineyard in the Dundee Hills, a young planting established around 2015, complemented by fruit from Eola-Amity Hills sites. This combination showcases the region’s expressive Chardonnay character across two distinct hillside terroirs.
Vinification & style
The wine’s name nods to its unusual elevage: it spends time fermenting and resting in stainless tank before a period in oak. This approach preserves freshness while gradually building texture, yielding a layered Chardonnay with both brightness and depth. The result is a wine that balances a lifted mineral edge with richer, creamier undertones from the oak phase.
Tasting profile
- Nose: peach, fruit cocktail, and lemongrass with subtle accents of spice, orange oil, and flint.
- Palate: medium-bodied and satiny, it gains weight and intensity across the palate, finishing long with bright, persistent acidity.
Food pairing
- Roasted halibut
- Buttered lobster
- Rich mushroom tart