2021 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay
This 2021 bottling of Durell Vineyard is a classic example of this venerable estate. A rich nose of grilled peaches, honey and baking spice is balanced by a palate of fresh, lively acidity. The broad- shouldered structure shows off the revered opulence this vineyard site is known for. Its rich, quaffable nature makes for a standalone beverage of grandeur.
2021 will be remembered as a challenging year, with record low rainfall producing smaller vine growth and very low yields of very small berries. 2021 is also a remarkably fine vintage with many wines performing near their best in quality. The young 2021 wines are showing great promise as intensely concentrated, complex wines, sure to give pleasurable drinking for years to come.
Durell Vineyard is planted in a protected valley in the southwestern hills of Sonoma Valley. Our 3.5-acre section of the vineyard is known as the “Sand Hill” block—a rolling section of uplifted sandy, ancient ocean floor offering superb drainage and austere, low-vigor soils. Though planted in the early 1990s, over the past several years, Sand Hill has been the focus of extensive viticultural work. This has further elevated the quality of the Dijon Clone 76 grapes from these two-decade old vines. The result is a powerfully textured wine that also offers alluring aromatics and bright, fresh fruit.
100% Whole-cluster pressed
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (30% new; 70% 1-2-year old)
Bottled without filtration to preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors and enhance aging potential
This wine is Vegan
- Type:
- White
- Varietal:
- Chardonnay
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- Carneros
- Vintage:
- 2021
- Blend:
- 100% Chardonnay
- Aging:
- Sur lie aged with weekly stirring
- Alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Fermentation:
- 100% indigenous yeast fermentations; 100% malo-lactic fermentation in barrel