Durell Vineyard Cuvee Mimi Chardonnay
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted chicken, seared scallops, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Durell Vineyard Cuvée Mimi Chardonnay is a heartfelt tribute from vintner Tor Kenward to his mother, Mimi. Sourced from the legendary Durell Vineyard—a site straddling the intersection of the Sonoma Valley, Carneros, and Sonoma Coast appellations—this wine showcases the exceptional terroir of Sonoma's volcanic soils and wind-swept hillsides. The fruit is selected from prized blocks of Old Wente clone Chardonnay, known for producing small, concentrated berries with intense flavor profiles. Under the guidance of winemaker Jeff Ames, the wine undergoes indigenous yeast fermentation in French oak barrels and complete malolactic fermentation, followed by aging on its lees with regular stirring. This traditional, low-intervention approach results in a Chardonnay of remarkable texture, balancing rich, golden orchard fruit with a vibrant, flinty minerality that is characteristic of the Durell terroir.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 2001 by Napa Valley veteran Tor Kenward and his wife Susan, TOR Kenward Family Wines is a boutique estate dedicated to crafting small-lot, single-vineyard wines that express the singular terroirs of Napa Valley. Drawing on Kenward's nearly three decades of experience at Beringer, the winery sources fruit from legendary sites, most notably the historic Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. The winemaking philosophy, guided by winemaker Jeff Ames, emphasizes minimal intervention, utilizing native yeast fermentations, and bottling without fining or filtration. TOR is highly celebrated for its powerful, complex Cabernet Sauvignons and expressive Syrahs that showcase the pinnacle of California winemaking. Address: 1507 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574, USA Website: https://torwines.com