2017 TOR Chardonnay Durell Vineyard Wente Clone

Even better, the 2017 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard comes from a great terroir on the Sonoma Coast and is prettier and more vibrant, with classy notes of white peach, white flowers, pineapple cream, and flinty minerality. With medium body, high yet integrated acidity, and a great finish, it’s well worth the extra effort to track down.

The 2017 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard is ample and broad on the palate, with terrific density and volume, all qualities that are typical of this Sonoma site. On the palate, the Durrell is phenolic and structured. Lemon confit, chamomile, apricot, and dried flowers are framed by a touch of new oak in this distinctive Chardonnay from Tor Kenward.

Tor’s block of the Durell Vineyard is on the “Sand Hill” section of the vineyard, looking down on the Sonoma Valley. The soil is Goulding clay loam, mixed with diatomaceous earth, and millions of years ago, it formed a sand bar reaching into the prehistoric lake that covered the town of Sonoma. Tor favors the Wente clone in this vineyard, which is a selection of plant material that sets a small crop with small berries. The result is a high skin-to-flesh ratio and great concentration of varietal character. The single new barrel cooper used is Saury. The 2017 Tor Chardonnay Durell Vineyard is slightly closed on the nose, opening out to honeyed peaches, lemon tart, melons and savory/toasty notes with yeasty hints. The palate is full-bodied with great intensity of savory flavors, finishing long, satiny and very savory. 343 cases produced.