98 Points Jeb Dunnuck
From a vineyard that Ken Pahlow calls his favorite, the bright silver/yellow 2022 Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard is more detailed on the nose, with perfectly balanced reduction, white pepper, citrus blossoms, lime zest, pristine green apples, and delicate toast spice. It’s balanced with a highly focused feel and has pristine, great length, an elegant, linear feel, ripe acidity, and a beautiful texture. Stash this away and come back to it over the next 10 or more years. 425 cases were produced. Drink 2024-2034
95 Points Decanter
Reductive notes of smoky lime and flint announce the aromatics of this Chardonnay from Mt Pisgah's Freedom Hill Vineyard. The elegance and austerity of this mineral-rich wine spring forward with complimentary sea air and grilled pineapple aromas. The palate is lively, bright, and mineral-driven, as gobs of briny oyster shell touch off laser-focused citrus and smoky chipped flint. Drinking Window: 2024-2035.
93+ Points Wine Advocate
he 2022 Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1995, 2010 and 2015 in marine sedimentary soils. It was fermented and matured in 50% new barrels of various sizes for 12 months and was finished with three months in stainless steel. The nose opens with some overt flint and matchstick that quickly gives way to fragrant pear, quince and allspice. The light-bodied palate offers concentrated flavors that are still coiled and flinty at this stage. It has a silky, gently mouth-coating texture and a long, latent finish. It deserves 3–5 years to unwind in bottle.
93 Points Vinous
The 2022 Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard is savory to the core, with a burst of reduction that blows off to reveal masses of dried peach and nectarine complicated by dusty florals. It’s zesty within, with a core of vibrant acidity and crunchy mineral tones further intensified by tart green apple fruit. The 2022 finishes salty and dramatically long yet still incredibly fresh, leaving a subtle tug of sour melon. This is a wine of contrasts that’s nearly impossible to ignore. Drink: 2025-2032.
Winemaker Notes
Mt. Pisgah of Polk County, Willamette Valley
Established in 1982 by Dan and Helen Dusschee, the iconic Freedom Hill Vineyard has become a testament to sustainable stewardship, now thoughtfully tended by the next generation, their son Dustin. Nestled in the foothills of the Coastal range this site adorns a gentle southeast slope, protected from the Van Duzer winds, which gives a slightly warmer microclimate compared to its neighboring Eola-Amity Hills. Rooted in the ancient soils of a sedimentary, uplifted seabed, Freedom Hill’s distinguished terroir is featured in the new Mt Pisgah, Polk County AVA within the expanse of the Willamette Valley.
Our 2022 Freedom Hill Chardonnay is an enchanting eruption of the vibrant aromas of wild jasmine, fresh lime blossom, and flint. On the palate, an exquisite balance of density and elegance unfolds, harmonizing with lightning-like acidity that imparts captivating liveliness. In a tantalizing twist, grilled lemon intertwines with the delicate allure of sesame oil The texture of limestone adds depth to the wine while the finish exudes an intense saline minerality that leaves a powerful and lasting impression in its finish.
