AUTEUR CHARDONNAY, DURELL VINEYARD, SONOMA COAST 2014

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

92 Points

Honeysuckle as well as smoky hazelnuts – in almost a Premier Cru Meursault-like style – are suggested by the 100% Old Wente clone of the 2014 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard. This is from loamy, rocky, volcanic soils in one of the larger, high-quality vineyards on the Sonoma Coast. Auteur has made a beautiful wine with sweet marmalade, white peach, apple jelly and citrus oil notes along with a subtle smokiness. This wine was aged in 50% new French oak, which may account for the hint of smoke. The finish is long and the wine certainly full-bodied and beautifully vibrant. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

NVWE Notes: A lovely mix of the rich and the racy, this Chardonnay opens with aromas of lemon and orange zest, lemon cream, quince, pear skin, honeysuckle and mineral scents. It is firm, yet concentrated and focused on the palate, where lemon sorbet, fresh apple, pear liqueur, lemon and orange zest, vanilla wafer, toasted grain, toasted nuts and chalky mineral notes find a rich harmony. Big, rich and delicious on the palate, it is at the same time impressively refined. It is worthy of fancy French cuisine and should drink beautifully over the next three years. 162 cases produced.