{"product_id":"walter-scott-chardonnay-freedom-hill-vineyard-2024","title":"Walter Scott Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard 2024","description":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Land\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFreedom Hill is one of Oregon's most storied vineyard addresses, established in 1981 by Dan and Helen Dusschee on the southeast slopes of an ancient uplifted seabed in Polk County. The soils are Bellpine loam, marine sedimentary, well-draining, and low in organic matter — the kind of stress-inducing profile that produces concentrated, structured fruit. Sheltered from the Van Duzer winds by its position on the eastern side of the Eola-Amity Hills, Freedom Hill runs slightly warmer than its neighbors, building concentration and phenolic ripeness alongside the characteristic acidity of the AVA. Dustin Dusschee, the second generation, now farms organically without irrigation. Walter Scott works three separate Chardonnay blocks here, planted to Dijon 76 and 95 clones with vine ages from 10 to 30 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Wine\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e100% Chardonnay from three Freedom Hill blocks, co-fermented with indigenous yeasts. Ken farms for low yields and picks on pH rather than sugar — he's after physiological ripeness with low malic content and controlled potential alcohol. Whole-cluster pressed, briefly settled, then transferred to barrel with the gross lees intact. Ken does not rack off the solids before fermentation; he scoops everything into the puncheons, where the gross lees build early texture and sustain the reductive environment. Aged 12 months in a new 500-liter puncheon, a once-filled puncheon, and neutral puncheons. Minimal bâtonnage, 100% malolactic fermentation. Three additional months in stainless steel before bottling. The reductive winemaking is deliberate: a smoky, flinty thread runs through lemon curd, white nectarine, hazelnuts, and salted almond. Taut and precise, with the structure to develop over five or more years in bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe People\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWalter Scott was founded in 2008 by Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon. Ken worked at St. Innocent for years before a formative stint with Dominique Lafon at Evening Land deepened his understanding of how Chardonnay is made at its best: low yields, pH-driven picking decisions, reductive handling, and patience. He has worked with Freedom Hill since 2012, having known the vineyard through his years at St. Innocent. The Pahlow-Landon team and the Dusschee family share an understanding of what careful farming and low intervention in the cellar can produce from this site. Imported by Grand Cru Selections.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFreedom Hill Chardonnay's weight and mineral precision call for similarly substantial food. Seared scallops with brown butter and capers, roast pork tenderloin with apple and fennel, grilled lobster tail with herb butter, or a creamy pasta with chanterelle mushrooms. A Chardonnay that earns its place at a proper dinner table.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Craft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50147343433951,"sku":null,"price":79.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P6170393_d1197334-5363-4cea-8564-0ab803c2e5fd.jpg?v=1781756334","url":"https:\/\/danverwinemerchant.com\/products\/walter-scott-chardonnay-freedom-hill-vineyard-2024","provider":"Denver Wine Merchant","version":"1.0","type":"link"}