Medium ruby color; cherry, cranberry, raspberry, strawberry, cocoa, baking spices, hint of earth on the nose and palate.
Dry; soft, supple tannins; food-friendly acidity (3.55 pH). Light-medium body. Clean, elegant effort from an outstanding vintage in Oregon. Cold soaked to soften tannins; gently framed by oak—just 17% in the aging. Delicious easy drinker that will please many palates. Very food versatile. 13.9% ABV
Chemistry is a joint effort. The website notes: “the Stoller Family Estate and Chehalem winemakers were presented the opportunity to collaborate. This allowed the two estate-driven, tenured wineries the chance to further explore the Willamette Valley. The bond was formed.
“The story of Chemistry began 30 years ago when Owner and Founder, Bill Stoller, followed his passion for wine. An initial investor, Bill quickly became a partner in Chehalem Winery and purchased his family’s farm with the vision of cultivating a world-class vineyard. As his dream evolved, Bill decided to launch his own winery, Stoller Family Estate, in 2001. For the next 15 years, his two wineries remained relatively independent of one another, until Bill’s partner retired in 2018, and he assumed ownership of both wineries. The winemakers seized the opportunity to broaden their palates and collaborate.”
The winery is B Corp Certified. Solar arrays power most of the winery and allows Chemistry to sell energy back to the grid. The workforce is taken care of—all employees who work 30 hours a week or more are paid a living wage, 95% of healthcare costs for full-time employees are paid for by the winery for those who elect coverage. Women make up more than half the management team. In the community, Chemistry hires locals, contributes goods and services to non-profits, and employees contributed more than 450 hours of volunteer time while being paid by the winery.
The Stoller Group revealed a new Chemistry identity with the 2023 vintage. The central image on the label is a chalice with a floating heart surrounded by vine-like details. Each of the brand’s varietals are distinguished by vivid colors and a unique combination of classical elements—mythological zodiac archetypes, seasonal rhythms, and organic forms—to reflect the wine’s personality. If you are into this, the pinot noir element is “earth,” the zodiac “virgo,” the season “fall,” and the composition “clay.” Stoller Wine Group president Gary Mortensen: “Our team listened to our customers, understood the market, and shaped the vision for Chemistry. Partnering with CF Napa helped translate that vision into a design that is elevated, engaging, and true to the curiosity and adventure that defines Chemistry.” Take that for what you will, this is excellent, classic Oregon pinot noir at a wallet-friendly price.
Chemistry Pinot Noir, Oregon 2023 is superb, elegant, excellent Oregon pinot noir. A brand of the Stoller Group, this employs quality pinot from multiple vineyards to produce supple tannins, reserved oak and tasty fruit. This is textbook expression of Oregon pinot noir, punches well above it modest—for this quality—price point. Chemistry promises minimal intervention to showcase the region’s excellent fruit. This more than delivers on that promise. $20-25
Pairing—Grilled Pacific salmon with mushrooms (classic), seared tuna, tuna steaks, pan-seared halibut, herb-crusted halibut, roasted arctic char with garlic and rosemary, grilled swordfish, roasted monkfish wrapped in bacon; crab, lobster, pan-seared scallops, grilled shrimp and prawns. Turkey—very versatile at holiday feasts like Thanksgiving; pork tenderloin, lamb lollipops; very lean, tender beef such as filet mignon. Cheese—Brie, camembert, triple-cream (Delice de Bourgogne), Italian taleggio; gruyère, medium-aged cheddar (Oregon Tillamook Cheddar), Spanish manchego; goat cheeses, goat gouda; aged pecorino; “grows together…”—Briar Rose Creamery Maia.
YouTube video with winemaker Katie Santora
