Koosah 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.”