Temperance Hill Chardonnay

Press

97 Points - Decanter: "Planted initially for a sparkling wine project, vineyard manager Dai Crisp offered this Chardonnay planted in 2016 to Evan Martin. Taut, mineral and fragrant with a note of wild white florals, this wine brilliantly balances acid and tension with depth of concentrated Meyer lemon pulp. There's a soaring salinity and acidity; it's intense, fresh, and dynamic. This is his first vineyard-designated Temperance Hill Chardonnay, but will certainly not be the last. A masterclass in Eola-Amity Chardonnay terroir, undeniably one of the country's top appellations for this noble variety."

96 Points - International Wine Report: "The 2023 Martin Woods Temperance Hill Vineyard Chardonnay from the Eola-Amity Hills shimmers in the glass with a pale straw hue edged in silver. The aromas weave together white nectarine, crushed chamomile, quince, and roasted hazelnut, alongside accents of flinty stone and subtle citrus blossom. From this elevated, cool-climate site, the wine strikes a balance between vibrancy and layered depth, showcasing an interplay of orchard fruit and savory tones. After some time in the glass, notes of pear skin, lemon oil, and salted almond drive across the palate. There is a taut, chalk-dusted freshness that stretches through the mid-palate, leaving a sense of crystalline purity. Texture carries both polish and verve, finishing with lingering impressions of crushed rock and delicate spice. This Chardonnay is precise yet expansive, a wine that evolves with air and rewards patience. Driver now or over the next 15 years."

95+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming from this high-elevation, cool-climate site where tension meets golden richness, the 2023 Chardonnay Temperance Hill Vineyard is a bright straw-silver color and is savory and complex with white pepper, beeswax, almond, filbert, rocky earth, yellow flowers, and melon rind. Aged a year in barrel, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a chalky, dewy freshness, pear-like fruit, and an energetic texture."

93 Points - Vinous: "The 2023 Chardonnay Temperance Hill Vineyard is a total pleasure on the nose, blending fresh apricot and white peach with mint leaves and stone dust. Elegance defines the feel, as oily textures are supported by juicy acidity while ripe green melon and a hint of yellow apple settle over a salty mineral core. Tension carries the 2023 through a long, staining finish, leaving a spicy tinge and the palate salivating for more. This wine was refined in 14% new French oak."