Yesterday I got to taste the as yet unreleased 2014s from Evening Land Vineyards. This is the first step in a new phase of the project, which is based on the Seven Springs Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills of Oregon. Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman (Domaine de la Côte and Sandhi from the Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County, California) took over in 2014 and saw the finishing of the 2012 and 2013 vintages that were then in barrel. And 2014 was the first vintage that they were completely involved in from start to finish. So there’s been a label change to coincide with this regime change.

The wines are fantastic. I really like the Pinots, which are both quite different in personality. But it’s the Chardonnays that impress the most. These are serious expressions of Oregon Chardonnay, and the Summa is truly world class.

Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
This is from old vines on deeper Jory soils. Elegant, fresh, slightly sappy nose is floral and bright with a lively green edge. The palate is focused, juicy and elegant with lovely fruit. Fine, expressive and bright with red cherries and subtle herbs. Lovely sappy detail here with real purity and a red fruit quality. 94/100

Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Pinor Noir 2014 Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
From old vines planted in very shallow soils: Nekia, Ritner and Wetzel volcanic soil types. Really fine, detailed and expressive with a red cherry and plum nose. The palate is fresh, open and expressive with detail and finesse. This is a wine of precision and focus, showing red cherry and plum fruit with bright acidity and a mineral core. Superb. 95/100

Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
From 2008 plantings of Dijon clones, this is lively, fresh, lemony and taut with mineral-laced citrus and pear fruit. Finely spiced and detailed, this has a supple personality with some mealiness. Very fine. 94/100

Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Chardonnay 2014 Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
From deeper soils at the bottom of the hill, this has a mealy, spicy, mineral nose. Amazing precision here, with real finesse. Supple and complex with a mineral spiciness under the ripe citrus and apple fruit. Such a lovely expression of Chardonnay. 95/100

Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Chardonnay 2014 Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
Made in two 500 litre Stockinger barrels. From the top part of the slope where the soils are shallower. Detailed, spicy and mineral on the nose with citrus and pear fruit. Astonishing aromatics here. The palate is fine, fresh and mineral with a lovely precise citrus character. Lovely precision and focus with thrilling detail. 96/100

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