2021 Shea Wine Cellars Chardonnay Tina-Louise Shea Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton 750 ml

Shea is without a doubt one of the most famous and sought-after vineyards in all of Oregon. It’s attracted a who’s who list of winemakers virtually since it was planted—and there’s still a mile-long waiting list for grapes. And while Dick Shea still sells 80% of his grapes to others, he’s slowly built Shea Wine Cellars into one of the Willamette Valley’s best estate programs. 

No one knows the nooks and crannies of the vineyard’s terroir like Shea himself, and his 2021 Tina-Louise Chardonnay reflects Shea Vineyard’s intense personality perfectly: There’s a broad richness and power to the wine, but still plenty of brightness and verve.

Chardonnay makes up a tiny percentage of Shea Wine Cellars production—they make a case of Pinot for every bottle of Chard—and Tina-Louise is their higher end bottling (Shea has eschewed the term “reserve”). When we look at the cool-climate California Chardonnay landscape, we see comparable wines from the Sonoma Coast or Santa Rita Hills selling for $75-$90—and from vineyards with half the fame and reputation of Shea.

Oregon remains one of the greatest sources of value in high-end wine, especially in top-class Chardonnay. This is fermented and aged in French oak, but only a small fraction of the barrels are new. The result is a wine that has something to offer both California and Meursault drinkers. 

The aromas are driven by crisp apple, lemon marmalade, and apricot, layered with crushed hazelnut praline and chamomile. The palate is stunning, offering abundant citrus and stone fruit with an earthy tone, zippy acidity, and a long-lasting finish. We found ourselves going back for sip after sip after sip, and we think you will too.