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 the 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 combines 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.
Recent 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'.
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 the 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 combines 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.
Recent 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'.
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 the 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 combines 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.
Recent 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'.
