Amalie Robert Her Silhouette Willamette Valley Chardonnay, 2011

Amalie Robert's Her Silhouette is a Dijon Clone Chardonnay and about as unadorned as you can get--no oak and no malolactic fermentation. At 11 years of age, it is still a youthful, exuberant example of Oregon Chardonnay.

Remarkably light color for an 11-year-old white wine. And the aromas and flavors are equally youthful. Proves the thesis that it is acid rather than oak tannin that determines the ageability of wine. Fresh and lively, lemon cream, apple and minerals. Abundant acidity, perhaps more than many tasters would prefer. But it is fruit acidity, unadorned by the sweetness of oak. And I love it.