wine #4: Durand Chardonnay

Well, Lechuza needn't worry, but Monte Xanic better watch out. Jose Durand has been in the valle for nearly 20 years, starting with Domecq and others. When I saw that the shipment had a 100% Chardonnay I figured it would be the least of the bunch. As SWMBO pointed out - wrong again.
Lechuza's Chard is the best in the valle and at $50-60 it better be. It's appeared on The French Laundry's wine list which is no mean feat. Monte Xanic does a good job but we find a wide variability from year-to-year. Most whites from Guadalupe tend to run on the sweet side; a good dry white is hard to find.

Mr Durand has clearly been working on his white and it shows, just enough oak to give the wine structure without being overpowered by the wood.
The back label is a little goofy, but the bottles have been re-labeled for the export market, check out the website to see what the bottle looks like in Mexico.

But hey, at $285 pesos how can you go wrong?

http://www.durandviticultura.com/site/

Thanks for the review. We agree that most whites have tended to be on the sweet side. Good to see that changing at least for those of us who prefer otherwise. Will have to keep a look out for Durand Chard.