Carabella Vineyard

Mike Hallock, owner and winemaker, founded Carabella in 1996. He planted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris in his 49-acre vineyard located at 500 to 600 feet in elevation on the southeast side of Parrett Mountain. The soil here is gravelly volcanic, giving a mineral and earthy quality to his wines. Hallock only uses estate grown fruit in his wines, and his fruit is featured in the wines of other well-known Willamette Valley producers as well.

This bright yellow gold Chardonnay is fairly viscous with slow moving legs. On the nose, earth, chalk, and slate give a distinct sense of terroir, a signature of the place. Along with this are the more typical fruit, butter, and oak notes, in this case orange zest, candied orange, Irish butter, and vanilla. On the palate the wine is round, silky, and medium bodied. Toasty oak, juicy red delicious apple sweetness and acidity, and green apple tartness round out the wine. The finish is long. Delicious with Cracked Crab and drawn butter, it also would pair nicely with a chicken gruyere roulade or Veal Blanquette.

Reviewed February 2, 2007 by Catherine Fallis.