One of our favorite moments as wine merchants is when we meet a new winemaker with one of their first vintages, and the wine is great. It’s always exciting to taste a new wine from a fresh perspective. This is why we’re happy to present Arabilis Chardonnay in our newsletter for the first time. Several weeks ago, Allison McMahon came into the shop to sample us on her latest vintages from the Willamette Valley and Columbia Gorge. She and her husband Kenny met while studying viticulture and have been making wine since 2018, and arrived on the scene with a clear eye for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This delightful Chardonnay from the Gorge offers Meyer lemon, fresh peach, and salty sourdough aromas before a buoyant palate of pear butter, amaretto, lemon zest, lime leaf, and candied orange peel. Fermented and raised in neutral oak, with 11 months on the lees, this Chardonnay shows impeccable balance with a core of racy acidity that keeps the wine aloft on the palate. This is a delicious wine with Chardonnay’s trademark versatility for food pairing, and we’re excited to see what’s next for Allison and Kenny.