Wester Reach Chardonnay 2019,0529 (Dumol)

Cellar for up to 10 years, no decanting necessary. Since 1996, Dumol has been crafting wines brought forth through keen attention to the terroir of their estate, leased and grower-partner vineyards of the Russian River Valley. The Wester Reach wines made their debut in 2019. They honor site-specific expressions through thoughtful blending, balancing and harmonizing. This project comes from two-decades long winemaker and viticulturist Andy Smith who has dedicated his career to intimately understanding the land and its fruit, and then utilizing the best cellar techniques to showcase purity. Wester Reach Chardonnay utilizes fruit from five vineyards. From DuMOL Estate the wine finds its mineral-drive base. Flax Estate centers the wine and brings broad orchard fruit notes. Old vine fruit from Ritchie Vineyard displays orange-tangerine intensity. Morelli imparts supple texture and bright citrus, while Heintz Ranch shows a savorier side delivering complex botanical and truffle qualities. The wine is fermented and aged in barrel, 30% new, for 11 months, sees full malolactic fermentation and is settling for 3 months before bottling. It is rich and textural with aromas of white peach, tangerine, crystalized ginger, hazelnut and steely mineral. The palate welcomes softer stone fruit and citrus oil but finishes vibrantly. Pair Wester Reach Chardonnay with poultry or shellfish, roasted cauliflower and winter squash sides, or a complex main course salad with roasted beets, pistachios, citrus, goat cheese and a warm vinaigrette.