Chardonnay
2021 Koosah Vineyard Chardonnay
The Terroir:
The Eola-Amity Hills is situated to the immediate east of the Van Duzer Corridor, the "air-conditioning" pathway through the Coast Range where marine air enters from the west and cools the Willamette Valley. At the very top elevation of the ava sits Koosah Vineyard‒in the Coast Salish dialect the name "koosah" means "beautiful ceiling of the sky". This "magnum opus" project of grower Kevin Chambers is without question one of the most thoughtfully planted (and riskiest) vineyards in Willamette's history. Ripening here is patiently late and Fall rains will almost always threaten the harvest...yet that risk also offers rewards. The high elevation makes for strong diurnal shifts between cold nights and warm daytime temps with extra UV intensity. This alternation gives ripe fruit expression matched to bright acidity, with aromatics that are lifted and fresh. The Parrett soil (rocky volcanic basalt with shallow topsoil) provides balanced stress to the plants, resulting in sparse canopies and loose clusters, good wind and sun exposure, and ultimately small berries with thick skins‒all of which combine to give the wines structure, framing, and definition. Martin Woods is one of the very few producers who have the privilege to work with these vines and we are quite thankful for the privilege.
Reviews:
96 - International Wine Cellar: "What a surprisingly beautiful Chardonnay from Martin Woods, this one from the 2021 Koosah Vineyard. A vivid light moving to medium lemon core with a bright yellow rim, the nose explodes with aromas of crushed yellow pears, honey-coated yellow apples, cedary herbs, and sea breeze. The palate is much the same with gorgeous stone fruit tones mixed with dried herbs and just a smooch of vanilla. Round and lush across the tongue, this one has what it takes to drink well over the next 8-10 years with proper cellaring. Highly recommended and editor’s choice."
96 - Decanter: "Another stunning 2021 vintage Chardonnay from the Eola-Amity AVA, this site Koosah sits at the region's highest planted elevations. Great mineral lift introduces this wine with a beautiful depth of complexity. Aromatics of crushed chalk and lemon pith swerve towards more layered savoury notes of petrichor, smoked salt and struck flint. There is a beautiful tension across the palate, marked by a graceful balance between fleshy stone fruits and streaks of thirst-slaking minerality—a fantastic culmination of the terroir's elements."
96 - Jeb Dunnuck: "Rich and more full-bodied, the 2021 Chardonnay Koosah Vineyard is ripe with aromas of pristine Williams pear and white peach. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a rounded mouthfeel and laser-like, driving energy. Drink over the next 10 or more years.” September 2023
94+ - Wine Advocate: "The 2021 Chardonnay Koosah Vineyard, matured for 14 months, has very pretty aromas of white peach, panna cotta, cashew and singular herbal undertones reminiscent of botanicals. The medium-bodied palate is youthfully mineral-driven and tangy, its coiled fruits taking plenty of time to expand into spicy and savory hints. That chalkiness and energy, reminiscent of Puligny, really makes this dynamic wine shimmer, although it will require at least 3-5 years in bottle to really unwind and show off its inherent power.” September 2023
94+ - Vinous: "The 2021 Chardonnay Koosah Vineyard takes some time to come out of its youthful shell, slowly emerging with hints of crushed almond, peach nectar and dusty stone. There's a captivating richness and ripeness of fruit, but no more so than the stimulating wave of acidity and wash of sour citrus perfectly balancing it all out. The palate is left reeling with primary concentration and a caking of minerality, finishing dramatically long and staining yet still remarkably fresh. Please pour me another. From dry-farmed vines at 1000 feet of elevation, planted in shallow volcanic soils.” January 2024
97 - Wine Advocate, 2019
Our Tasting Notes:
Lemon oil, green apple, moss & white flower, wet soil, iodine—remarkable textural tension between fruit, minerality & acidity—so balanced, the finish lingers for minutes—think 'Puligny'
2022 Pearlstad Vineyard Chardonnay
The Terroir:
The Eola-Amity Hills is situated to the immediate east of the Van Duzer Corridor—the "air-conditioning" pathway through the Coast Range where ocean air enters from the west and cools the Willamette Valley. In the direct path of the breeze sits Pearlstad Vineyard, a sloping ridge where ancient landslides have exposed marine layers and fossil rocks with striking clarity. The soils are well drained and provide balanced but significant stress to the vines. This induces restrained leaf canopy growth and a limited crop of small clusters with good sunlight exposure and air flow reaching the berries and thicking their skins. those thick skins lead to textural complexity in the wine, as does a mixed planting of multiple clonal selections. I am delighted by the distinct saline/salty/mineral expression evident in the wines and the purity and delicacy of fruit resulting from the windy, cool climate. I am honored to collaborate at this remarkable terroir with growers Ken Pearlman and Dana Baker. we all look to the future with great expectations of quality.
Reviews:
95 - Decanter: "The use of old Oregon oak (30-40%) in this wine is an interesting choice. Rather than the bold, round texture typically associated with French oak in Chardonnays. There is a very expressive lemon oil aromatic along with salted lemon freshness. The native oak creates a unique tension that lifts the flavours to the tip of your tongue. This vibrant wine features a lovely mineral and saline character, with notes of honey, pears, doughy crackers, and a delicate citrus floral finish."
94+ - Jeb Dunnuck: "Winemaker Evan Martin describes the 2022 Chardonnay Pearlstad Vineyard as a Chablisien wine. Coming from the very rocky marine sedimentary soils on the western side of the Eola-Amity Hills, it has a very focused profile on the nose, with notes of salty earth, lime zest, green apple skin, and fresh herbs and flowers. It is linear and also focused on the palate, but has ripe acidity, with a great, savory, salty finish. Mouthwatering and tension-driven, but with pretty fruit throughout, it’s going to age gracefully over the coming 8-10 years."
93+ - Vinous: "The 2022 Chardonnay Pearlstad Vineyard is full of zesty tension, mixing stone dust and sage with crushed green apples and minty herbs. This blends round and supple textures with juicy acidity and mineral-tinged orchard fruits, taking on a salty crunchiness toward the close. It leaves the palate completely cleansed through the finish as an herbal whiff and a twang of sour lime pucker the cheeks."
Our Tasting Notes:
Marine air, lime zest, white flower—fresh, salty and tense—remarkably refined and resonant—long cellaring potential
2021 Yamhill Valley Vineyard Chardonnay
The Terroir:
Yamhill Valley Vineyard is positioned within the McMinnville ava in the foothills of the Coast Range, along the edge of the Van Duzer Corridor—the "air-conditioning" pathway through the Coast Range where cool marine air pours in from the ocean 30 miles away. The cooling winds and cool mountain air translate to Chardonnay with refreshing, intense qualities. The shallow volcanic soils and steep, south-facing slope of the Fromage and Hilltop blocks have little water-holding capacity, causing stress to the vines and resulting in sparse canopies and loose clusters of unusually small, sun-kissed, thick-skinned chardonnay berries, giving tremendous depth and texture to the wine. Our goal for Chardonnay is to achieve a tension between expressive fruit, vibrant acidity, and subtle yet complex aromas. This exceptional block of vines offers a balance of depth, breadth, and focus that amazes us every year.
Reviews:
96 - Wine Advocate: “The 2021 Chardonnay Yamhill Valley Vineyard is deep and expressive. Matured in French and Oregon oak for 11 months, it has intense aromas of grilled peaches, honeycomb, ginger, mushroom and candle smoke. The medium-bodied palate is youthfully tangy and tense with a coiled core of fruit and saline character that gives it a shimmery feel. It has a luxurious texture that extends the finish, and it's a pleasure to drink straight from the bottle despite its potential for graceful aging.”
95 - International Wine Cellar: "Sporting a medium lemon core with a watery rim in the glass, the 2021 Yamhill Valley Vineyard Chardonnay from Martin Woods is outstanding in every way. Perfumed with layers of stone fruits, lemon candy, mountain wildflowers, crushed rocks, and lemony herbs, it keeps you coming back for more. Lovely acidity plays out the finish that lasts for minutes."
94 - Decanter: "A broad, opulent Chardonnay from the lower elevation Yamhill Valey Vineyard. There is ample brilliance in the aromatics; hints of chamomile and cardamom go towards ripe pear flesh. The palate shows fleshy ripe stone fruits, peach, and apricot notes that are ripe and showy. There is a brilliant texture to it all, and a stony minerality balances the opulence."
97 - Jeb Dunnuck, 2019 Yamhill Valley Chardonnay
Our Tasting Notes:
Struck flint, subtle cheese rind, lemon, apple, pear, spice—remarkable breadth and refinement—textured, balanced, tense, refreshing and resonant—both complex and immediately pleasurable—long cellaring potential