Durant Vineyard Chardonnay

Surveying Durant ahead of my opportunity to work with the fruit this year. I enjoy Marcus's philosophy of winemaking. There is good minerality, and firm reduction aromatically, countered by opulent ripeness appearing on the palate.

Douglass had this 7 years ago

Reductive as all get out but I like it. Definitely pushes the limit of that spectrum.

Sleek and elegant with toasted hazelnuts, lemon curd and steely mineral notes. A real treat.

If you like strong reduction this is a winner. I love me some reduction. Saline. High end oak. Clean fruit.

Such delightfully tasty Chardonnay. Love the style Marcus makes his Chards in. Simultaneous richness and bright freshness. Great reductive edge that helps emphasize the fruit through contrast rather than just masking it. Great complexity. Pours a medium (-) intensity straw hue. Medium (+) concentration of aromatics of ripe yellow apple and star fruit, lemon curd, an almost smoky crushed chalk minerality, leesy aged cheese rind and pretzel bread, a bit of creme fraiche, almond skin, struck match, and some subtle toasted anise and baking spice character from apparent but balanced new oak influence. On the palate, there's more yellow apple and starfruit (albeit a bit less ripe), lemon curd, crushed chalk, pretzel bread, and almond skin, underpinned by new oak baking spice. Nice length on the palate. Medium (+)/high acid, medium (-) body with a slightly oily leesy texture, bone dry, alcohol is medium (+) and completely balanced. One of the more impressive Chardonnays I've had from the Willamette. Drinks not dissimilar from a decent 1er Cru from the Côte de Beaune.

Greg had this 6 years ago

John had this 6 years ago

John had this 7 years ago