Vineyard Notes: 100% Willamette Valley Chardonnay from three vineyards planted between 1984-2016
15% Durant Vineyard – 22-year-old Dijon 76 picked 9/9/20
25% X Omni Vineyard Block 4 – 7-year-old mixed clones (15+) picked 10/1/20
59% Yamhill Vineyard – 36-year-old Wente/108 picked 10/2/20
Vinification Notes: Each lot was uniquely pressed; the juice was browned for 12 hours before being sulfured. After 24 hours of settling on organic yeast hulls, the must was racked off solids. Ambient yeast fermentation started in tank. Primary fermentation progressed slowly alongside malolactic, completing in early April 2021. Yamhill fermented in a new 500L Damy Vosges Long Light+ puncheon, a 3rd fill 350L Damy Allier Medium Long puncheon and 279L stainless drum. Both Durant and X Omni Block 4 fermented and aged in stainless steel. The final blend has 26% new oak and was made in August 2021 when the wines were racked off lees into steel for a second winter. Cold stabilized and bottled unfiltered on February 11, 2022. Closed with 49×23.5mm DIAM 10 and 49x24mm ‘Extra’ Aquitaine Liege punch cork.
Tasting Notes: Delicate, vivid aromatics of pink grapefruit, key lime, Asian pear, lemon balm, pine sap and crushed rocks. Austere green citrus flavors are steely smooth with wet mineral flourishes, delicate and electric.
Pale straw-gold. Fresh peach and pear aromas are brightened by suggestions of citrus pith and smoky minerals. Nicely concentrated yet lively in the mouth, offering sappy, spice-tinged Meyer lemon, Anjou pear and nectarine flavors that become firmer through the midpalate. Shows excellent clarity and focus on a penetrating finish that emphatically echoes the spice and floral notes. 25% new oak. 92pts
— Josh Raynolds, VINOUS about 2019 vintage