DuMOL 2021 Chloe Chardonnay – Russian River Valley 96 Points

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points: “Pouring a bright medium yellow/straw hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Chloe is highly expressive, with a golden perfume of pineapple, orange oil, and a bit of honeysuckle. It has a full body and a rounded texture, with ripe apricot, hazelnut, and white flowers. A lusher personality to drink over the next ten years, it’s a bit more open at this youthful stage.”

Wine Enthusiast 96 Points: “Balanced to a T, this fascinating wine matches ripe and rich poached pear and golden apple flavors with a vein of lemony acidity that keeps it refreshing sip after sip. It’s medium to full in body. Best through 2030. “

Winemaker Notes: “Our 2021 Chloe Chardonnay continues the theme started in 2019 – a focus upon central Russian River Valley vineyards grown on lean red gravelly soils on the east bank of the Russian River itself. These neighboring sites – Flora Marie & El Diablo – naturally produce rich broad wines with power and concentration. It’s important to harvest them quite early before the character becomes too exotic. We underpin this richness with a high acidity citrus-driven block from our coastal Bressay Estate which adds length and precision to the final blend. The combination is immediately expressive with power, breadth, and chewy depth, yet bristles with energy and freshness. This is the designated Chardonnay to open first for its early pleasure while waiting for the sharper coastal wines to find their pace. Aromas of tangerine, orange, and honey are offset with flint, mint, and oyster shell notes. The wine is deep, intense, long, and focused with great volume. Layered flavors akin to peach, nectarine, and candied ginger build through the palate. There’s an oily texture that’s cut by vibrant acidity and the finish lingers with fine detail and enveloping power.”