Release Chloe Chardonnay
2023

Winemaker’s Notes

Our 24th vintage of Chloe and a wine led by forward fruit richness rather than coastal structure. The character of the fruit is more reminiscent of ripe apricot and peach than leaner citrus, and the wine’s texture is broad, generous, and mouth-filling. You might open and enjoy this before our acid-driven coastal Chardonnays. The vineyard blend combines the orange marmalade fruit richness of Flora Marie Vineyard in the warmer central Russian River hills with vines from the top of our Bressay Estate that give deep oily texture and waxy honeyed fruit richness. The wine can be opened and enjoyed on release but will age positively in bottle for seven years. This is one of the great recent vintages for Chloe.

The wine’s aromas and flavors are reminiscent of white flowers, tangerine, white peach, and an edge of rising ocean spray. The palate is full bodied and generous, with deep fruit richness and enveloping texture. Apricot, lemon curd, and beeswax notes take hold. In classic DuMOL style, the wine finishes long and vibrant with an echo of nutmeg and anise. Drink between 2025 and 2032.

Andy Smith