One of the founding vineyards in Oregon, Durant Vineyards focused on producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris fruit for some of the premier wineries in Oregon for almost forty years. Then back in 2003 they began to make a small amount of wine from their estate fruit under the Durant label. 2018 marked their inaugural vintage at our new winery led by Winemaker, Spencer Spetnagel. They currently make estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé of Pinot Noir, and Brut sparkling wine as well as an incredible olive oil!
Winemaker Spencer Spetnagel has a longstanding history in the industry and has his Graduate Diploma focused in Viticulture and Enology from Lincoln University (NZ). He was introduced to fine wine by working as a server in Atlanta and pursued wine from there. Spencer’s new wines were gorgeous across the board. I love the new 2021 Durant Vineyards ‘Coyote’ Pinot Gris (OB, 91) which is rich and shows an oily texture with bright acidity. The best wine I tasted was the 2021 Durant ‘Raven’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which has a soft mouthfeel and plenty of bright orchard fruit flavors. Learn more about these great wines at durantvineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Durant Vineyards.
2019 Durant Vineyards ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- Disgorged in September 2022, this offers green apple, white peach, juicy starfruit and salty undercurrents on the palate. Very astringent, enjoy now and over the next few years. This really would go well with sushi. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2021 Durant Vineyards ‘Coyote’ Pinot Gris- The 2021 ‘Coyote’ comes from vines planted back in 2007. Kiwi, white peach and minerals come together on the palate. Very soft and approachable, enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 91
2021 Durant Vineyards ‘Lark’ Chardonnay- The 2021 ‘Lark’ shows off a bright veil of tension once on the mouth. Layers of green papaya, lemon rind and fresh French bread all combine with copious minerals. Generous and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2020 Durant Vineyards ‘Raven’ Chardonnay- A bit leaner and more linear than the ’21 bottling, this offers strightfward orchard fruits with vanilla cream and a touch of toasty oak on the palate. This is really nice considering the vintage. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2026- 90
2021 Durant Vineyards ‘Raven’ Chardonnay- The ‘Raven’ Chardonnay come from vines planted back in 1993 as this wine utilizes Dijon clone 76. Soft and supple on the mouth, this offers nectarine and bright pear tones alongside a good veil of tension on the palate. Lightly salty, with a smooth texture, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2019 Durant Vineyards ‘Heron’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Heron’ comes from Pommard clone PInot Noir vines. Very light on the nose with bright red fruits, this delivers a nice bright acidity on the palate. A touch lean and herbal with dried red fruits, orange peel and dusty soils, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2029- 90
2019 Durant Vineyards ‘Coyote’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Coyote’ is a Mt. Eden clonal selection Pinot Noir win ethat was planted back in 2007. A whiff of white truffle and volcanic soils greets you on the nose, with ripe red currants and tobacco leaf. The palate is lithe and polished, coming off a touch lean and linear, with excellent underlying finesse. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2019 Durant Vineyards ‘Madrone’ Pinot Noir- Coming from Dijon clonal selection 115 Pinot Noir vines, the 2019 ‘Madrone’ offers menthol, wild mushroom and freshly tilled soil notes on the nose. The palate is fresh and polished with tart red fruits, pipe tobacco and peat moss undertones. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2029- 91