DuMOL Chardonnay Wester Reach 2023

Russian River Valley, California

Lisa Perrotti-Brown 94 points! Wine Advocate 93 points! Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points!

DuMOL Chardonnay Wester Reach is a superb Chardonnay from DuMOL family-owned high-elevation hillside vineyards in the Russian River Valley appellation. Winemaker Andy Smith is one of the most gifted and charismatic of a new generation of sophisticated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialists. Andy's stock-in-trade is intense Burgundian Chardonnays -- offering deep, mineral flavor with great texture and wonderful balance -- and Pinot Noirs of uncommon depth and complexity. Part of the secret is his winemaking regimen, which includes extended fermentations to enhance aromatics; elevage with a high percentage of solids, but with limited lees stirring; and no fining or filtration. But the real keys to the transcendent quality of DuMOL's wines are Andy's gift for blending sites, clones, and maturity levels to achieve chromatic diversity.

“Soaring aromatic intensity blends white flowers, thyme, aniseed, ginger, and citrus fruits. The wine is wonderfully engaging with flavors akin to lime juice, white peach, hazelnut, and briny green olive. The palate is taut yet deep and resonant, with mineral acidity cutting through its natural richness and broad texture. It has great drive throughout and really fans out on the finish to leave a lingering echo of citrus oil and oyster shell intensity.”—Andy Smith, Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner

“The appellation wine and calling card of the house, the 2023 Chardonnay Wester Reach is fresh on the nose, with notes of light flint, lime zest, bright flowers, white pepper, and green apples. It has a compact feel but with electric energy and a fantastic oily citrus texture on the finish.”—Jeb Dunnuck April/2020, 93+ points

“The 2023 Chardonnay Wester Reach is blended from several vineyards including Flax, El Diablo and Heintz. Grapes were harvested September 14 to October 14, and the wine was matured for 11 months in 27% new French oak barrels, followed by four months in tank. It has enveloping aromas of peach, lemon peel, custard, toast and matchstick. The full-bodied palate is satiny and mouth-coating with concentrated flavors. It’s balanced by taut acidity and has a long, luxuriously creamy finish. 4,600 cases were made. Drink 2025-2035.”-Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate, 93 points!

Enjoy DuMOL Chardonnay Wester Reach with roast chicken, grilled salmon, and aged cheeses.