Christy Canterbury MW

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Stoller Family Estate Keeps Pushing the Envelope

There is something undeniably charming about a winery whose back label illustration of its property highlights a tire swing. But make no mistake, Stoller Family Estate is a highly sophisticated operation. The winery's tasting room has been voted by USA Today's "10Best" as one of the Best Tasting Rooms in the US three times, and the visitor experience is going bleeding edge this summer with virtual and augmented reality experiences in a new and immersive Stoller Experience Center.

More importantly - at least in my view, the wines of 17-year, Stoller winemaking veteran Melissa Burr continue to impress, especially the 2019 white and rosé. Both also win points for being very good values. 

90
Stoller Family Estate 2018 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 14.1% $35
This is smart wine. I tried this wine at cellar temperature and chilled, and I prefer it chilled. The coolness tamps down the body and alcoholic warmth and allows my favorite feature of this wine - its succulent black cherries, to take center stage. (Err, center palate.) There is a pleasant earthiness that accompanies the wine's light and even tannic tug, giving it a delightful hint of Old World-ness. The acidity is even-keeled, offering refreshment without being noticeable. The well-judged structure pulls a complex jumble of flavors - black plums, licorice and a whiff of cigar box - into a long finish. The bare, 15% new oak use is deftly integrated. Very fairly priced for a Dundee Hills-appellated wine, this boldly-fruited Pinot Noir is best-suited to the table in my view, but many will enjoy its lightly rugged texture and full body as sipping wine. 
Drink: 2020-24 

90
Stoller Family Estate 2019 Chardonnay Dundee Hills 12.5% $25
This is a vibrant and juicy Chardonnay with a cuddly, creamy palate balanced by zesty, exuberant acidity. The wine explodes with refreshment! There are Comice pears, grated ginger and green gauge plums. It's a modern and sophisticated Chardonnay that sees primarily stainless steel with a bit of neutral oak and concrete. It even delivers a lasting, fruit-filled finish. With medium intensity and an easy-going, fruit-forward character, it doesn't seem as if it will be long-lived. Go ahead and drink-up now. Besides, it's pretty hard to resist!
Drink: 2020-22 

89
Stoller Family Estate 2019 Pinot Noir Rosé Willamette Valley 12.5% $28
A bright, vibrant and slightly spicy wine, this is a rosé with a clearly exuberant personality. It starts with red cherry and watermelon and moves quickly into sweet rose notes. This fruit-filled wine offers a flattering, juicy suppleness lifted by integrated acidity and the barest hint of tannic relief. Field strawberries persist into solid, lightly minerally and resolutely dry finish.
Drink: 2020-22