Gary Farrell

Durell Vineyard Chardonnay

9.316 ratings
-no pro ratings
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
John B
8.4

Pretty heavy handed. Too much oak. Masks the fruit from this great vineyard.

Pretty heavy handed. Too much oak. Masks the fruit from this great vineyard.

1 person found it helpfulOct 12th, 2015
Mark Flesher

Enjoyed today with takeout from the #2 restaurant on the island (#1 was paired with the DuMOL Chloe 2015). I will definitely say that this wine is a little more full bodied and a little rounder than the DuMOL but it just didn't seem to be as dynamic. Enters with a lot of round character, but then goes to more of an acidic presentation as it goes to the mid-palate. Tart lemon creme brulee seems to be the number 1 note here. There is an herbal presence towards the finish. Even though this was last year's release, it still needs 2-3 years in bottle to really express itself. Still after about an hour it really did show more intensity and complexity and went well with redfish, crab, crawfish and calamari. Definitely better with food, whereas the 15 Chloe would have mopped the floor with or without anything. If you're going to drink this one now, you might as well just put this in a decanter for 2-3 hours beforehand. Or cellar through 2030, with the peak probably sometime in 2025.

Enjoyed today with takeout from the #2 restaurant on the island (#1 was paired with the DuMOL Chloe 2015). I will definitely say that this wine is a little more full bodied and a little rounder than the DuMOL but it just didn't seem to be as dynamic. Enters with a lot of round character, but then goes to more of an acidic presentation as it goes to the mid-palate. Tart lemon creme brulee seems to be the number 1 note here. There is an herbal presence towards the finish. Even though this was last year's release, it still needs 2-3 years in bottle to really express itself. Still after about an hour it really did show more intensity and complexity and went well with redfish, crab, crawfish and calamari. Definitely better with food, whereas the 15 Chloe would have mopped the floor with or without anything. If you're going to drink this one now, you might as well just put this in a decanter for 2-3 hours beforehand. Or cellar through 2030, with the peak probably sometime in 2025.

Oct 3rd, 2020
Chad Andrulonis

Crisp and smooth

Crisp and smooth

Sep 26th, 2020
Tracy Byrnes

Citrus and acid up front

Citrus and acid up front

Apr 24th, 2020
Dick Koopmans

What Chardonnay is meant to taste like... bright fruit, caramel and toast

What Chardonnay is meant to taste like... bright fruit, caramel and toast

May 2nd, 2017
Lars Rasmussen

Full bodied,buttery and peachy,, a hint of vanilla. Well- balanced and good length

Full bodied,buttery and peachy,, a hint of vanilla. Well- balanced and good length

Jan 1st, 2016
Betsy Schermer

Betsy had this 4 months ago

Betsy had this 4 months ago

Dec 23rd, 2023
Panagis Vagenas

Panagis had this 2 years ago

Panagis had this 2 years ago

Jul 4th, 2022
Michelle Faletra

Michelle had this 3 years ago

Michelle had this 3 years ago

Apr 16th, 2021
Betsy Schermer

Betsy had this 3 years ago

Betsy had this 3 years ago

Feb 20th, 2021