Wine Notes
One of California’s most acclaimed vineyards, Durell Vineyard is located in the southwestern hills of Sonoma Valley, straddling the Carneros, Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Coast appellations. Durell’s cross-appellation location and cool, Region 2 climate distinguish it as one of the most sought-after sites for Chardonnay. The vineyard’s sloping hills, rocky clay loam soils and low-vigor vines intensify flavors and produce low yields – 3 tons per acre on average. Sand Hill Wines display great complexity and depth, a reflection of Durell Vineyard’s clonal diversity.
For Chardonnay, winemaker Don Van Staaveren eschews crushing; some of the lots are de-stemmed while others go direct to press as whole clusters. The fruit is pressed into small, refrigerated tanks and held at 45-50 degrees F. Some lots are inoculated with a Burgundian yeast, while others ferment with indigenous yeast from the vineyard. As soon as yeast activity begins, Van Staaveren and assistant winemaker Tracy Bledsoe gravity-flow the juice into 50% new and 50% previously used, air-dried French oak barrels for a 100% barrel and malolactic fermentation. The wines age 14-16 months sur lie with frequent stirring, with the best lots blended shortly before bottling.
TASTING NOTES
Van Staaveren believes the Sand Hill Chardonnay displays an ideal blend of warm and cool climate characters. Its rich, fresh, complex aromas of ripe apple, carmelized pear, lemon meringue, butterscotch and burnt sugar lead into lush, creamy, custard-like flavors surrounding pear, apple, and spice. This wine has signature Durell minerality and a wonderfully long finish.
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