Alcohol: 13.7 %
Grape(s): 100 % Chardonnay
Location: Columbia Gorge AVA, Oregon, USA (Hood River valley, south-facing slopes of Mt. Defiance)
Tasting Notes: Pale gold with glints of green. Aromas of ripe pear, lemon curd, and golden apple intertwine with white blossom, wet stone, and a whisper of toast. Medium-bodied on the palate, balancing juicy orchard-fruit richness with vibrant citrus acidity and a subtle saline edge. Hints of hazelnut, baked brioche, and vanilla emerge mid-palate, leading to a long, poised, mineral-driven finish.
Notes: Phelps Creek Chardonnay is sourced from 25- to 35-year-old Dijon and Wente clones planted on volcanic and basalt-tuff soils at 300–400 m elevation. Whole-cluster pressed; wild-yeast fermentation in 228 L French oak barrels (≈25 % new). Aged 10 months sur lie with periodic bâtonnage for texture, then bottled unfiltered with minimal SO₂. Sustainable/Salmon-Safe certified and vegan-friendly.
Food Pairing: Ideal with Dungeness crab, seared sea-scallops, roast chicken with herbs, creamy polenta, chanterelle risotto, or triple-cream cheeses.
Winery Story: Founded in 1990 by airline-pilot-turned-vigneron Bob Morus, Phelps Creek Vineyards overlooks the Columbia River near Hood River. The estate’s high-elevation, wind-swept slopes enjoy warm days, cool nights, and steady Gorge breezes, yielding grapes of excellent natural acidity and tension. Under consulting Burgundian winemaker Alexandrine Roy, the cellar follows low-intervention methods to craft balanced, terroir-focused wines that bridge Old-World elegance with Pacific Northwest purity.
