YVV 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