2022 Walter Scott - Chardonnay Willamette Valley Freedom Hill

Walter Scott Wines was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon, who funded their start with emptied retirement savings and a shared conviction that the Willamette Valley could produce world-class wine. Ken's formative years working at St. Innocent, Patricia Green Cellars, and Evening Land Vineyards, including time spent alongside acclaimed Burgundian winemaker Dominique Lafon, shaped his exacting, site-driven approach and sparked a particular obsession with Chardonnay. That focus makes Walter Scott unusual among Willamette Valley producers, with Chardonnay now accounting for the majority of the winery's output.

This bottling comes from Freedom Hill Vineyard, a historic site established in 1982 on a southeast-facing slope in the foothills of the Coast Range, within the newly recognized Mt. Pisgah, Polk County AVA. The fruit is drawn from vines planted in 1995, 2010, and 2015, all rooted in ancient marine sedimentary soils that give the wine its distinctive mineral backbone. The wine was fermented and aged for twelve months in barrels that were half new, then finished with an additional three months in stainless steel to preserve freshness and precision.

The nose opens with notes of flint and matchstick that give way to fragrant pear, quince, and allspice. The palate is light-bodied yet concentrated, coiled and mineral-driven, with a silky, gently coating texture that carries into a long, lingering finish. Its bright acidity and saline edge pair beautifully with fresh oysters, grilled prawns, or a simple roast chicken.