Chardonnay
2022 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 blows in from the Pacific Ocean, lowering the growing season temperatures as well as elevating the presence of salinity in the wines. Koosah, which in the Coast Salish dialect means "beautiful ceiling of the sky", sits at the very top elevation (1,100 feet) along the upper slope of a dramatic drainage that runs all the way down to the valley floor (200 feet). The cool, east-southeast aspect combined with the slope's prominent wind exposure, leads to especially extended hang times and patient development of complex flavors. Koosah is without question one of the most thoughtfully-planted vineyards in the Willamette's history, but also one of the riskiest. Fall rains will almost always threaten the harvest. Yet these calculated risks are already paying dividends: bright acidity, perfectly ripe fruit, lifted aromatics, and a kiss of salinity. Furthermore, the shallow topsoil and rocky volcanic subsoil provide balanced stress to the vines, resulting in open canopies, restrained yields, and berries that develop thicker skins, leading to wines of remarkable texture and tension. In summary, Koosah is at the forefront of the discussion about what Willamette Valley Chardonnay can and should be.
Reviews:
97 - International Wine Cellar: "The 2022 Martin Woods ‘Koosah’ Chardonnay from theEola-Amity Hills dazzles with a glimmering light lemon core and a watery rim. Aromatically, it reveals spiced apples, damp earth, a hint of saline, green melon, and subtle notes of white tea. This Chardonnay carries a beautiful structure with a touch of tannins that kiss the gums, which suggests it will only improve with time. The mid-palate offers perfect acidity and balanced sweetness, leading to a long, fruit-forward and saline-infused finish. An outstanding bottle that’s poised for an even brighter future. Highly recommended and editor’s choice."
95 - Decanter: "The Koosah is a bolder Chardonnay choice in the Martin Woods portfolio. The floral quality of its aromas balances the somewhat rich mouthfeel of its medium—to full-body palate. With that said, it maintains a vibrant energy and nice overall structure - balanced acidity - featuring notes of stone fruits, crispy apples, lemon peel, and herbs. There is a phenolic structure and a rich texture. This wine nails both. Winemaker Evan Martin is a huge fan of the Koosah site, ‘I think it is the greatest Chardonnay vineyard in the Willamette Valley.’"
96 - Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2022 Chardonnay Koosah Vineyard is a bright yellow/silver color and is a touch more shy at this stage, with notes of smoky earth, white peach, lemon oil, and a white floral tone. Medium to full-bodied, it has lovely richness without weight and has exceptionally focused length. Drink 2025-2037.”
Our Tasting Notes:
Lemon oil, green & gold apple, moss, white flower & minerals—remarkable texture and tension between fruit, minerality & acidity—medium weight, while possessing weightlessness—finish lingers with persistent freshness & a note of salinity—our 'Puligny'—this is Oregon 'grand cru' chardonnay to enjoy now or cellar 15+ years
Paired Album
Lyrics from the mesmerizing tile track of this album translate to: “I don’t know how long I’ve been looking for you, in a second I will, knowing and perceiving your flavor, I’m not afraid.” Very relatable to the first experience with this intoxicating wine full of balance, tension, and a lingering finish. Bebel Gilberto - Tanto Tempo, 2000
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
Paired Album
This record is easily one of our most played over the last couple of years at the winery. The album name, title track, and instrumentation give an added reminder of the ocean winds from the Van Duzer Corridor that bring beautiful salinity to these vines. Beyond that, we’ll let this beautiful album and wine speak for themselves. Chip Whickham - Shamal Wind, 2018
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
Paired Album
This 2023 landmark record from one of the most electric drummers and live performers today is an ideal pairing for the YVV Chardonnay. Resonant, complex, immediately pleasurable yet sure to stand the test of time. Yussef Dayes - Black Classical Music, 2023
