From the acclaimed Durell Vineyard, the 2009 TOR Chardonnay is all from the Wente Clone fruit, grown in a mix of Goulding clay loam and diatomaceous earth, the effect of which is startling. This is a big, brooding Chardonnay, with complex aromas of hazelnuts, vanilla, coffee bean, chocolate liquor, and praline. Silky on entry, quite compact, with mouth-coating glycerol and seductive, weighty notes of smoky poached pear, candied orange peel and unsalted butter. Imagine draping yourself in gold velvet.
9.2 Points