Disclosed are ceramic articles, which in one aspect are composed predominately of a cordierite having a composition close to that of Mg<SUB>2</SUB>Al<SUB>4</SUB>Si<SUB>5</SUB>O<SUB>18</SUB>. The ceramic articles possess a microstructure characterized by a unique combination of relatively high porosity and relatively narrow pore size distribution, both as measured by mercury porosimetry, that render the ceramic structure useful for ceramic filter applications requiring high thermal durability and high filtration efficiency coupled with low pressure drop along the length of the filter. Such ceramic bodies are particularly well suited for filtration applications, such as diesel exhaust filters or DPFs. Also disclosed are methods for the manufacture of the ceramic articles described herein.
