Domaine Drouhin Oregon Chardonnay Arthur 2011

A stunning example of Dundee’s capability to bear Chardonnay of the highest order, this is named for Veronique Boss-Drouhin’s son Arthur (Ahr-TOOR). Farmed just as the Drouhin family tend their Grand Cru holdings in Burgundy (extreme planting density of 4,000 plants per acre as opposed to the norm of 700-800, a Blucher basket press for the gentle thorough extraction, and vineyard machinery, they drop 70% of all fruit in green harvest taking in only a maximum of 2 tons per acre –all in combining all the wines they make, they only make 11,000 cases –still an intimate production). Stylistically this is a marriage of Chablis and Meursault (Chablis entirely handled in stainless steel and the Meursault in climate controlled fermentations in oak) whose methods combine a beautiful acidity with a round and impressive texture that then sings with a fragrant lift unique to Oregonian Chardonnay. Alive on the palate, this finish carries on and on and this wine will be long lived and age well to reveal even more beauty than this pulchritudinous Chardonnay possesses even now.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, July 2013


"Our 2011 Chardonnay was hand-picked into small totes, and then whole-cluster pressed. Half of the juice was fermented in French Oak barrels (30% new) to create a round, rich texture. The other half was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Véronique then blended these two portions to create a wine of a more delicate nature. To Véronique, it as if one brought together elements of a pure Chablis and an elegant Meursault."
tasting notes from the winery