Winemaker Notes
As is customary, the DuMOL Estate Vineyard Chardonnay is the most dynamic, complex and cerebral white wine of the vintage— which is not to say that it lacks deliciousness, but simply that its fruit has a naturally savory, botanical focus. This small, shaded vineyard parcel, planted to high vine density, is surrounded by the aromatic coastal forest, and this has a huge impact on the wine’s aromas and flavors—that's terroir in action. What you get are sweet herbal notes of tarragon and sage, white pepper and dried mint, bay laurel and chalky freshness. It’s a wine of great nuance and detail which has incredible intensity of lemon and lime fruits, oily textural richness, and brisk mineral acidity. A true wine of its coastal Sonoma origins.
High-toned aromas and flavors of lime, chamomile, jasmine, and kiwi are deeply intertwined. The wine is zesty, electric, and detailed. Full-bodied, with oily richness and snappy acidity, the wine’s balance is near perfect. This complex matrix of flavor and structure lingers long on the wine’s finish, which blends lemongrass and honeyed richness. Drink between 2025 and 2035. A gentle decant might be beneficial to open up the wine’s full texture.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The higher elevation cousin to the Bressay, the 2023 Chardonnay DuMol Estate comes from a two-acre section of the vineyard planted to the Mt. Eden clone of Chardonnay. From this protected, tree-shaded site with high-density spacing (which ripens about a week later), the wine displays a bright yellow color and offers a wonderful, focused drive on the nose, with notes of fresh ginger, fresh apples, lime, and saline. It has a compact core with good density, although it ultimately showcases its more cool-vintage character with its vibrant energy and persistent length. Drink 2025-2037.
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James Suckling
Laser-focused on citrus flavors and offering brilliant, bracing acidity that makes it feel so linear and fresh. Lemon zest, lime curd and a bit of green apple freshness, then chalky minerals and white pepper as you keep sipping. An amazingly fresh wine with a low pH more likely in a German riesling.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard comes from high-density Mt. Eden vines. Grapes were harvested from September 23 to October 1, and the wine was matured for 11 months in 26% new French oak cigare barrels, followed by six months in tank. It has a kaleidoscopic perfume of crème brûlée, panna cotta and matchstick, melon, nectarine and orange peel. The full-bodied palate is incredibly powerful and concentrated, and its exotic, tropical flavors are delivered in a luxurious, satiny texture. It's balanced by vibrant acidity and has an epically long finish.
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Vinous
The 2023 Chardonnay DuMOL Estate Vineyard is elegant, lifted and classy. Floral overtones and bright, citrus-driven fruit are so alive. Time in the glass brings out the wine's textural richness and resonance. The 2023 is impeccable. I can't wait to taste it from bottle.
Barrel Sample: 94-96 -
Wine Enthusiast
This Chardonnay sourced from a high-density estate parcel delivers aromas of green apple, Meyer lemon white flowers and river rocks on the nose, The palate brings thrumming acidity with flavors of pithy pomelo, lemon blossoms, apple skin and pineapple sage echoing all through the finish.
Respect for the land
DuMOL is a “vineyard up” winery with a fully integrated approach to winegrowing and winemaking. DuMOL planted its high-density estate vineyards and has farmed many of California’s most renowned vineyards for more than two decades.
Commitment to craft
DuMOL sticks to what works and is focused on the fundamentals, finding inspiration in master, visionary producers around the world as DuMOL continually hones its craft—never imitating, ever refining.
Connected on a personal level
This is a project that comes from who the DuMOL team is and what they love. A deep connection is paramount: to the land, the wines, and the customers.
Heritage and experience
Founded in 1996, DuMOL is a latter-day pioneer in the Russian River Valley. Winemaker, Viticulturist and Partner, Andy Smith, farmed the region for nearly a decade before joining in 1999, and Associate Winemakers Julie Cooper and Jenna Davis, and Cellar Master Jaime Eufracio, have over 40 years combined experience at DuMOL.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A vast appellation covering Sonoma County’s Pacific coastline, the Sonoma Coast AVA runs all the way from the Mendocino County border, south to the San Pablo Bay. The region can actually be divided into two sections—the actual coastal vineyards, marked by marine soils, cool temperatures and saline ocean breezes—and the warmer, drier vineyards further inland, which are still heavily influenced by the Pacific but not quite with same intensity.
Contained within the appellation are the much smaller Fort Ross-Seaview and Petaluma Gap AVAs.
The Sonoma Coast is highly regarded for elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and, increasingly, cool-climate Syrah. The wines have high acidity, moderate alcohol, firm tannin, and balanced ripeness.