Placeholder Image

Chehalem, “Corral Creek Vineyard”

Other, United States 2011 (750mL)
$42.00
/
Your cart is empty.
  • In stock, ready to ship
  • Inventory on the way
Fruit
Earth
Body
Tannin
Acid
Alcohol

Chehalem, “Corral Creek Vineyard”

First time offerer, longtime admirer: I’ve been an avid fan of Chehalem’s wines for as far back as I can remember, so we were all elated when given the opportunity to experience a lineup of their range dating back 10+ years. Though every bottle sung a beautiful tune, we kept coming back to their stunning 2011 “Corral Creek” bottling—approaching seven years old, it is radiating energy and showing profound levels of complexity.
For me, Chehalem is a touchstone winery that bridges the gap between New World Pinot Noir and Burgundy. This achievement is due, in large part, to their working philosophy: “We look for deftness and elegance in Pinot Noirs at a time when black, opaque, extracted and heavily-wooded wines are the norm.” You won’t find an inky and cloying wine here, but rather a delicately layered, wonderfully perfumed take on cool-climate Pinot Noir—a cousin to Chambolle-Musigny if I’ve ever tasted one! Chehalem’s 2011 Corral Creek has taken five years of bottle age in stride and will easily reach its 10th birthday without a wrinkle or blemish. Furthermore, with only 250 cases originally produced, there are only a few left in the market! We tracked down a handful and can offer (at the country’s best price) up to six bottles per person today. Act quickly—this will sell out!
If you’re at all interested in the history (or simply the wines) of Willamette Valley, Harry Peterson-Nedry is an important name to know. In 1980, he planted the very first vineyard (Ridgecrest) in what is now famously known as the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Ten years later, the winery was established with the inaugural release of their 1990 Ridgecrest Pinot Noir. Harry was also a key player in establishing several wine organizations that have contributed to Willamette Valley’s worldwide fame: Oregon Pinot Camp, Oregon Wine Board, and Willamette Valley Wineries Association, among others. As of this year, Harry released his equity to co-owner Bill Stoller, but if there is anyone who understands the philosophy, history, and legacy of Chehalem, it’s Bill—he joined the team in 1993. 

Chehalem owns and produces wines from three single-vineyard sites from different AVAs: “Ridgecrest” in Ribbon Ridge; “Stoller” in Dundee Hills; and “Corral Creek” in Chehalem Mountains. First planted in 1990, Corral Creek’s 32 acres of vines—18 of which are Pinot Noir—wraps around Chehalem estate. The vineyard is LIVE certified and a member of the Oregon Certified Sustainable program. Chemicals are never used and weed removal, vine-tending, and harvesting are all carried out by hand. Additionally, Corral Creek is in the process of 100% dry farming (no irrigation). In 2011, harvest took place in the first week of November—the latest ever—and the grapes underwent a two week fermentation in the winery. The resulting wine then aged 10 months in new (27%), once-used (27%), and neutral (46%) French oak, and was lightly filtered before bottling.

In the glass, Chehalem’s 2011 Corral Creek shows a resplendent bright ruby with just the faintest hint of bricking on the rim. The nose is classic Willamette: brimming with delicate red fruits and developing earth components that are wrapped in soft baking spices. Expect bright wild strawberries, red currant, bing cherry, black raspberry, red plum, freshly cut rose, crushed cranberries, damp herbs, forest floor, loose black tea, and damp clay. There is also a slight—yet enjoyable—presence of classic Burgundian “barnyard funk” next to a fresh blend of kitchen spices. The palate just surpasses medium-bodied and delivers in full force after 30-45 minutes of air. There is incredible acidic lift here with persisting, fine-grained tannins that lead to a savory, red fruit-studded finish. Corral Creek has a long life ahead of it, but it has already entered its drinking window in such a beautiful way. Drink one now and store your others for consumption over the next 5-7 years. Serve just above cellar temperature in large Burgundy stems with the attached pork tenderloin dish—the balsamic cranberry glaze will accentuate Chehalem’s delicate fruits! 
Placeholder Image
Country
United States
Region
Other
Sub-Region
United StatesChehalem Mountains AVA
Farming
Certified Sustainable
Blend
Pinot Noir 100%
Alcohol
13.0
OAK
New & Used French
TEMP.
60
Glassware
Large Burgundy Stem
Drinking
Now-2025
Decanting
30 Minutes
Pairing
Pork Tenderloin w/ Balsamic Cranberry Glaze

United States

Washington

Columbia Valley

Like many Washington wines, the “Columbia Valley” indication only tells part of the story: Columbia Valley covers a huge swath of Central
Washington, within which are a wide array of smaller AVAs (appellations).

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Oregon’s Willamette Valley has become an elite winegrowing zone in record time. Pioneering vintner David Lett, of The Eyrie Vineyard, planted the first Pinot Noir in the region in 1965, soon to be followed by a cadre of forward-thinking growers who (correctly) saw their wines as America’s answer to French
Burgundies. Today, the Willamette
Valley is indeed compared favorably to Burgundy, Pinot Noir’s spiritual home. And while Pinot Noir accounts for 64% of Oregon’s vineyard plantings, there are cool-climate whites that must not be missed.

California

Santa Barbara

Among the unique features of Santa Barbara County appellations like Ballard Canyon (a sub-zone of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA), is that it has a cool, Pacific-influenced climate juxtaposed with the intense luminosity of a southerly
latitude (the 34th parallel). Ballard Canyon has a more north-south orientation compared to most Santa Barbara AVAs, with soils of sandy
clay/loam and limestone.

California

Paso Robles

Situated at an elevation of 1,600 feet, it is rooted in soils of sandy loam and falls within the Highlands District of the Paso Robles AVA.

New York

North Fork

Wine growers and producers on Long Island’s North Fork have traditionally compared their terroir to that of Bordeaux and have focused on French varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Others We Love