Neatly matched elements of Meyer lemons, ripe apples, crème caramel and toast are teamed in the rich, well-composed aromas and iterated again in the deep and very complete flavors of this wonderfully expressive Chardonnay. The wine is at once slightly viscous, fairly mouthfilling and very energetic, and, while never impressing as a powerhouse, its potent but polished flavors last and last. It will make ideal drinking with salmon in sauce, and it has more than enough weight and richness to complement pan-roasted duck breasts.

DuMol produces five separate Chardonnays, with their generic cuvée, the 2013 Chardonnay Russian River basically a blend of some terrific terroirs including their own estate vineyard as well as three highly regarded single vineyards for Chardonnay – Heintz, Lorenzo and Ritchie. The clonal material here is Clone 4, Mt. Eden and Wente. The wine displays beautiful honeysuckle and notes of orange blossom in a fruit-forward, medium to full-bodied style. It was aged 11 months in oak and then moved to tank for 3-4 months prior to bottling. This beautiful Chardonnay should drink nicely for 5-7 years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.