Kelley Fox 2023 Durant Chardonnay

Elaboration (Winemaking): The French term 'élevage' is a good one to know. While it sounds like it might be elevating or lifting, the literal translation is more like "bringing up" or simply "raising" the wine, as a parent might raise their kids. And specifically, the term refers to the vessel the wine lives in during this period - such storage options as stainless steel tanks, large neutral casks, new oak barrels, cement eggs, and clay amphora. We could go on but think that's likely enough for one paragraph other than to say, the grapes in this wine are Organic and Biodynamic.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, the wine is sunshine yellow with some pale gold tones. Brilliantly transparent. Refreshing aromas of cream and citrus. On the palate the wine continues this mixed citrus with some noticeable structure (aka, a food-friendly crispness), along with notes of minerals and vanilla bean. It has a beautiful mouthfeel and a lasting finish that leaves you with notes of lemon curd and a hint of toastiness that balances the fruit.

Producer Background
Kelley Fox Wines, established in 2007 in Oregon by Kelley Fox and her father, Gus Sterns, is a small winery known for its small-production, single-vineyard wines. Though still small today, the winery began with just 100 cases that first year. Today, Kelley crafts her wines from grapes she either leases or sources from several of Oregon's top vineyards. Her goal is to showcase how the diverse soils of the Willamette Valley can be reflected in the finished wine when the winemaker stays out of the way and allows the wine to express itself with each vintage.

Kelley embraces natural winemaking, organic or biodynamic farming, and minimal intervention in the cellar. These extra costs and efforts have been rewarded with high demand and great love from wine reviewers!