97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Chardonnay Arthur is pure, precise and extraordinarily pretty this vintage, with expressive key lime, pencil lead and saline aromas, plus wafts of spring flowers and beeswax. The stunning palate combines creamy texture and fresh tang, gently honeyed fruits and citrusy uplift, which make for a very long, energetic finish. It's the best iteration of the Arthur cuvée I've tried.
94 points James Suckling
Baked apples, spiced pears, lemon pie, white flowers, nougat and nutmeg on the nose. It’s full-bodied with crisp acidity and seamless, elegant layers of ripe stone and citrus fruit. Hints of stones and blanched almonds to close.
93 points Decanter
The new vintage of the 'Arthur' Chardonnay from Domaine Drouhin is delicious. As is Drouhin's custom, half is fermented in barrel and half in tank to give an extremely refined result. Aromas of ripe apple and quince fruit waft from the glass; the texture is silky and fresh, but there is a hint of almond on the palate as well, and the overall impression is supple, creamy finesse, and beautiful length.
Arthur Chardonnay, Domaine Drouhin Oregon, 2020
About:
Chardonnay Arthur is produced from 100% Dijon clones, grown on the Drouhin Family Estate in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. First planted in 1990, the low yields of these vines and their early ripening ability have been a perfect match for our climate and soils. Arthur, named for Véronique’s son, is a wine that captures the bright, crisp acidity and mineral character of the vineyard, balanced with richness and lovely length.
Winemaking:
2019 Arthur Chardonnay was hand-picked into small totes, and then whole-cluster pressed. Itwas partly fermented in French Oak barrels to reveal the complexity of the fruit through theslow breathing process that happens in wood. The rest was fermented and aged in stainless steel to keep the vibrancy and fruitiness. Véronique then blended these two portions to create a wine of a more delicate nature - Arthur. To Véronique Drouhin, it’s as if one brought together elements of a pure Chablis and an elegant Meursault.
2019 Vintage:
In 2019 we saw a return to the classic, ever changing Oregon growing season. Winter started out relatively mild, but gradually became largely cold and wet. Spring was warmer but also wet, and despite some mild frosts in April, there were also warmer than average temperatures. Through the summer, there were fewer heat spikes, and then cooler skies for harvest.
Véronique’s Drouhin Tasting Notes:
The 2019 Arthur is joyously fresh and fragrant, with the intricacy and detail of spring blossoms. Here, clarity of flavor and balanced precision are front
and center, lifting the pure chardonnay expression
effortlessly from the glass. One finds aromatic notesof Anjou pear, green apple blossom, cardamom and coriander. Refinement and elegance follow through on the palate, all wrapped in a very fine texture. Enjoy now, but I expect this Arthur to age beautifully for the next 5-7 years.
