Durant Vineyards 2012 Raven Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, $25
The Durant family began growing Dijon clones 76 and 96 Chardonnay in its Raven Block for others starting in 1993, but now they have enlisted the talented Isabelle Dutartre of DePonte Cellars to create a consumer following for their own expressions of Chardonnay. Beautiful and rich aromas of tropical fruit include fresh-cut apricot and peach candy. Inside are luscious flavors of white peach and more apricot, which are backed by juicy acidity to create amazing length — thanks to the influence of neutral oak barrels that account for about 20 percent of the otherwise stainless steel fermentation.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 235 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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