Kelley Fox Durant Vineyard Lark Block Chardonnay 2019

Kelley Fox Wines Vintage 2019 Bottle Sizes 750ml Country United States Region Oregon Appellation Dundee Hills A.V.A. Wine Type Still - White Varietals Chardonnay Farming Organic Vineyard The beautiful and historic Durant Vineyard was planted in 1973 by the Durant family, who continue to both live there and farm there. They are wonderful people, and it’s a dream come true to make wine from their vineyard. Durant Vineyard is on the southern slopes of the classic Dundee Hills neighboring Domaine Drouhin. The Dundee Hills for a very long time has been referred to as the “heart of the wine country”. Though the soil there is volcanic with silt, clay, and loam (“Jory”), the Lark Block, the source of my Durant Chardonnay, is from a block of vines planted on a small parcel of unusual ancient marine soil in 1991. Just across the gravel road from the Lark Block is their olive orchard, and if you haven’t tried Durant olive oil, I highly recommend it. I love that olive trees border this block within the vineyard, too. Some of you know how much I love working with flower essences and with vines bordering trees. The olive flower essence is cited to “bring peace, regeneration, and restored balance” to the weary and exhausted. (www.Bachflower.org). The Lark Block is planted to Dijon 76, known in Burgundy for producing nervy, finely-balanced, and elegant Chardonnay. Soil Volcanic with silt, clay, and loam (“Jory”). The Lark Block, the source of Kelley's Durant Chardonnay, is from a block of vines planted on a small parcel of unusual ancient marine soil in 1991. Vinification After finishing primary fermentation in both stainless and concrete amphora tanks, the Durant was racked to neutral Burgundy barrels (228L) made from French forests for élevage and malolactic fermentation Notes "Metaphorically, the 2019 is more like a still Blanc de Blanc of a grower Champagne and less like a Meursault. Both taste and drink as 100% Oregon, and I’m using these terms only to help describe their characters to help you decide. The 2019 is pale, lemon-apricot, brilliant, and transparent. The nose begins with powdery minerals and has none of the tropical fruits that my 2018 has, but has lovely, delicate and fine notes of citrus and vanilla bean pods (no new oak-this is from the fruit!). The mouth is smooth and silky, and has racy acidity. I wrote these notes in October 2020, and though the Durant 2019 is presently full of tension and high octave energy (it’s quite young, after all) and would benefit from more time in the bottle, if you like grower Champagne, this could be ready now! I can’t wait to drink this in a few months and also in a few years." - Kelley Fox Back to Current Releases