95 pts Vinous
The 2022 Chardonnay X Novo Vineyard is rich, wafting up with a confectionary sweetness balanced by hints of crushed stone and peach sorbet. It’s silky and round with medium-bodied weight and vividly ripe orchard fruits, all guided by juicy acidity. The 2022 is weightier and more concentrated than expected, yet with an energy and mineral intensity to balance, leaving a salty flourish and silty tannins to linger on.
- By Eric Guido on May 2024

X Novo is comprised of just over 3.3 total acres of vineyard: 2 acres of Chardonnay and 1.3 acres of Pinot Noir. For being a tiny site, X Novo is one of the most unique vineyards in Oregon, if not the entire West Coast. Craig Williams is best known for his tenure at Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa Valley where he was responsible for innovative viticulture and winemaking. He garners tremendous respect throughout the international wine community. Under Craig’s direction, Joseph Phelps Vineyards has been awarded many exceptional accolades. In 2010 Craig and his family came to Oregon where they purchased land and began planting vineyards. They turned heads as they established two incredible east-facing sites in the Eola-Amity Hills and planted them with a notably diverse clonal selection of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Tasting Note: X Novo Chardonnay is exotic and striking, an olfactory adventure scented with yellow rose, jasmine, orange blossoms, and grilled Meyer lemon harmoniously interwoven with the essence of steely flint. On the palate an effortless symphony of balance and concentration unfolds, revealing delightful flavors of lemongrass, yellow plum, candied Meyer lemon, and the luscious indulgence of a passionfruit mousse, all underscored by the captivating presence of wet stones. X Novo concludes with a salty, mouth-watering finish.