2020 DuMol Chloe Russian River Valley Vineyard Chardonnay

DuMol Estate is a fine example of a wine estate that has grown into an absolute celebrity in a short time and whose wines are now also served in the White House and at the British court. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is dedicated to crafting vineyard-focused Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from distinctive locations in Russia's cool-climate River Valley. Andy Smith - the Winemaker means by vineyard oriented “As a 'vineyard up' winery we stay very close to the ingredients, close to the vineyards. Our winemaking technique is secondary to what we achieve in the field.” ANDY SMITH

Winemaker, viticulturist and partner Andy Smith leads a small and experienced team at DuMOL to create wines of depth, clarity and elegance through attention to detail in the vineyards and vintage-specific viticulture. DuMOL believes that the farmer's footsteps are the best fertilizer. Building on twenty-five years of experience, DuMOL also grows and produces small amounts of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Mencía from some of the best vineyards in Sonoma and Napa. The entire DuMOL portfolio is released via mailing list assignments, with select wines distributed to top restaurants around the world.

The Chardonnay Chloe Vineyard comes from the oldest vines in the Russian River Valley inn Sonoma. As usual, it is the broadest, richest and most Californian of the four classic Sonoma County designate Chardonnays. The intrinsic vineyard-derived vigor and intense aromas come from low-yielding old vines planted in shallow seabeds with just the right amount of clay to give body and roundness. At harvest we press these thick-skinned grapes very slowly, to capture every last drop of natural fruit extract that seems to rise from the deep vine roots themselves, through the juice and into the tough skins. This high content of "dry extract" provides the density and richness that we observe in the wine every year.

The aromas of the wine are bright and expansive with yellow peach, nectarine and white flowers. A suggestion of flint and spearmint adds detail. Viscosity and opulence are immediate on the palate with mandarin oil, honeycomb and candied ginger. In the deep mid-palate, the texture of the wine builds effortlessly: lemon oil, apricot and quince. Matching this structured vintage, the wine is quite framed with precise, balanced acidity and aromas of grapefruit pith on the finish. The wine is bottled unfiltered. The 2020 has received a whopping 96/100 points from Parker.