Durant Vineyards 2013 Lark Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, $28
The Durant family planted the Lark Block in 1993, so this vintage serves as the 20th anniversary of the clone 96 Chardonnay vines. They worked with ADEA Winery winemaker Dean Fisher on this lot, which was picked Sept. 26 at 20 Brix in the midst of the torrential rains that complicated this vintage. The majority of this Lark, cropped at 3 tons per acre, spent its life in neutral oak, but Fisher also deployed a single new French oak puncheon and 100% malolactic fermentation. Aromas of buttered artichoke, lemon pepper and olive oil lead to a pleasing palate of dried Gala apple and lemon juice. There’s complexity with a round mouth feel but it finishes with a cleansing burst of acidity and seashells.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 190 cases
Alcohol: 12.5%
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