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2012 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay

Durell Vineyard

Sonoma Valley

7-Year Re-Release
LMTD PROD.

The Durell Vineyard Chardonnay has aged beautifully in bottle, as one would expect from this outstanding vineyard. Just 360 cases were made, and only a few cases remain. It's showing in full glory at the 7-year mark - open and enjoy.

750 ml

2012 DURELL VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
As emissaries of a Napa Valley Mountain Cabernet house, we often thirst for a crisp, refreshing sip of chilled white for a change of pace. Slipping over to Hog Island Oyster Co. (200 yards from Bar Craig in the Oxbow market) for a few Tomales Bay gems over lunch, we found our white wine choices to be somewhat limited. They don’t buy Craig cab in Paris, so why should I support my California oyster habit with French Muscadet? Too often, the domestic whites we encountered proved sweet, or oaked-up, or fat and lazy … or all three at once! To counter this trend, our Durell Chardonnay exhibits tremendous complexity that is supported by the bright citrus, orange rind, minerality and nervous acid that are the hallmarks of the vineyard. It is our nod to Puligny from the Sonoma Valley. No malo, no problem.

Harvest dates: September 14-26, 2012
Average sugar: 24.9° Brix
TA: 7.5g/L | pH: 3.44
Alcohol: 14.52%
Barrel Aging: 6 months 40% stainless; 50% used French oak;
10% new French oak
Bottling Date: April 30, 2013

DURELL VINEYARD, SONOMA COAST
Bill Price’s beautiful property sits just above the Carneros appellation in Sonoma Valley. The shallow, sandstone soils, permeated with marine fossils and a huge number of large, smooth stones, keep the yields low. The cool, breezy climate resulting from the proximity of San Pablo Bay and the Petaluma Gap allow the tiny berries to mature slowly and evenly.

7-YEAR TASTING NOTES
The cool, foggy climate, sandy soils and marked acidity of Durell Vineyard are on full display along with the signature richness of this site. All is in balance, and the 2012 wine is showing itself completely at 7 years. My advice is to drink up, though the wine should hold well for at least a few more years.

2012 DURELL VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
As emissaries of a Napa Valley Mountain Cabernet house, we often thirst for a crisp, refreshing sip of chilled white for a change of pace. Slipping over to Hog Island Oyster Co. (200 yards from Bar Craig in the Oxbow market) for a few Tomales Bay gems over lunch, we found our white wine choices to be somewhat limited. They don’t buy Craig cab in Paris, so why should I support my California oyster habit with French Muscadet? Too often, the domestic whites we encountered proved sweet, or oaked-up, or fat and lazy … or all three at once! To counter this trend, our Durell Chardonnay exhibits tremendous complexity that is supported by the bright citrus, orange rind, minerality and nervous acid that are the hallmarks of the vineyard. It is our nod to Puligny from the Sonoma Valley. No malo, no problem.

Harvest dates: September 14-26, 2012
Average sugar: 24.9° Brix
TA: 7.5g/L | pH: 3.44
Alcohol: 14.52%
Barrel Aging: 6 months 40% stainless; 50% used French oak;
10% new French oak
Bottling Date: April 30, 2013

DURELL VINEYARD, SONOMA COAST
Bill Price’s beautiful property sits just above the Carneros appellation in Sonoma Valley. The shallow, sandstone soils, permeated with marine fossils and a huge number of large, smooth stones, keep the yields low. The cool, breezy climate resulting from the proximity of San Pablo Bay and the Petaluma Gap allow the tiny berries to mature slowly and evenly.

7-YEAR TASTING NOTES
The cool, foggy climate, sandy soils and marked acidity of Durell Vineyard are on full display along with the signature richness of this site. All is in balance, and the 2012 wine is showing itself completely at 7 years. My advice is to drink up, though the wine should hold well for at least a few more years.

About This Wine

2012 DURELL VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
As emissaries of a Napa Valley Mountain Cabernet house, we often thirst for a crisp, refreshing sip of chilled white for a change of pace. Slipping over to Hog Island Oyster Co. (200 yards from Bar Craig in the Oxbow market) for a few Tomales Bay gems over lunch, we found our white wine choices to be somewhat limited. They don’t buy Craig cab in Paris, so why should I support my California oyster habit with French Muscadet? Too often, the domestic whites we encountered proved sweet, or oaked-up, or fat and lazy … or all three at once! To counter this trend, our Durell Chardonnay exhibits tremendous complexity that is supported by the bright citrus, orange rind, minerality and nervous acid that are the hallmarks of the vineyard. It is our nod to Puligny from the Sonoma Valley. No malo, no problem.

Harvest dates: September 14-26, 2012
Average sugar: 24.9° Brix
TA: 7.5g/L | pH: 3.44
Alcohol: 14.52%
Barrel Aging: 6 months 40% stainless; 50% used French oak;
10% new French oak
Bottling Date: April 30, 2013

Vineyard

DURELL VINEYARD, SONOMA COAST
Bill Price’s beautiful property sits just above the Carneros appellation in Sonoma Valley. The shallow, sandstone soils, permeated with marine fossils and a huge number of large, smooth stones, keep the yields low. The cool, breezy climate resulting from the proximity of San Pablo Bay and the Petaluma Gap allow the tiny berries to mature slowly and evenly.

Tasting Notes

7-YEAR TASTING NOTES
The cool, foggy climate, sandy soils and marked acidity of Durell Vineyard are on full display along with the signature richness of this site. All is in balance, and the 2012 wine is showing itself completely at 7 years. My advice is to drink up, though the wine should hold well for at least a few more years.