The joy of drinking DuMol & the Wester Reach Chardonnay again (v19, 14.1% ABV) - 2.5 yrs since I last had this wine in this vintage - still an incredibly intense & lavish RR CH experience. The wine has dressed itself in gold in terms of appearance. Nose slightly reticent at first pour, opening up to deep & rich scents of peach & apricots, almonds, butterscotch, vanilla & barrel spice. Palate is round, even more tropical than nose w mango & pineapple, loads of citrus, striking acidity, mineral-drenched, long close! This truly combines US & European CH characteristics, still v young!
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Nothing no the nose at first. Eventually you get some mango (?), green apple, and white flowers. Nice concentration. Long finish. A touch hot for my palate but good balance otherwise. Citrus peel, pith. Don't find much oak, you could convince me of some vanilla and baking spice though.
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Always super yummy. My preference is for a bit less new oak but it retained a vibrant acidity which keeps it fresh. Lovely mix of citrus and stone fruit with the minerality that a good RRV wine should have. The primary flavors are a bit muted at fridge temp but definitely come out to play as it warms a bit. The finish is perhaps medium-plus in length and quite pleasant with a touch of spice.
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Day 1: Pop and pour. This is good but not worth $45 compared to the Adelsheim Staking Claim I just had which was under $30. Oak, vanilla, spice, ripe pear, minerals and orange zest. Medium finish but acidity is lacking here. 90 points Day 2: Not much different and has oak, vanilla, burnt toast, spice, ripe pear and minerals. While this is not a bad wine it just does not justify a $45 price tag on sale. 90 points Day 3: Similar and the oak influence has not died down. This is an easy pass for me as the oak gets in the way of the fruit. Recommendation: If you like oak this might be for you but those who like more balanced wines an easy pass.
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Very light straw color. This started off a little crisp, cold, and closed from the restaurant’s cellar. Warming up on the table helped open the wine, bringing apple and pear flavors. I didn’t sense any buttery or oaky notes but we didn’t decant the wine. I agree with other comments suggesting the wine could use some more cellar time, and I expect it’ll be a few points better in another 2-3 years (and served at a temp above 60 degrees). From wine list at Swiss Chalet (Vail).
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Like the first bottle consumed early this year. This is a "different" California Chardonnay.....does not have some of the bold notes that make some like CA Chardonnays......and others dislike them. I still struggle to describe the flavors, but it is not heavy and buttery. I am going to try to find more like it.
the scents are fresh with hints of chamomile, red apple and butterscotch, a judicious touch of oak gives creaminess to the balanced palate showcasing peach, vanilla, lime and saline flavors, long finish, tender, balanced and flavorful, there is much to appreciate, agree that it will drink best in a year or two
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Friday Group Brown Bag Tasting (R&D's): Double blind. Light color. Orchard fruit and jasmine notes. There’s a minerality on the palate that is very nice. Finishes with good length. Easy to pick out as another domestic chardonnay. (R&D)
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Chardonnay Tasting: This wine is very well made, however, at this stage the wine feels rather comercial and lacking in personality. There's lots of oak and typical California Chardonnay flavours. It gets better after about 20-30 minutes, but this really just needs more age. Hopefully it will develop into a more unique wine then. Revisit 2025.
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Rich hay yellow; sweet nose, white flowers, green apples; medium body, nice acidity, rich middle with some sweetness, quite rich and bold aftertaste, few nuances; a “crowd pleaser” I guess and clearly not bad, actually quite well made, but somehow it does not really do it for me
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Medium golden yellow in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of apples, peaches & citrus notes of lemons/limes with overtones of floral notes of honeysuckle, minerals, stony, almonds, some baking spices & a just a hint of vanilla/oak in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth texture, ripe flavors of apples, pears & lemons/limes with minerals, a hint of honey & a slight notes oak/vanilla in the background. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present but has the fruit & structure to continue to develop further if aged several additional years.
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Paid $45 because the shelf card said Wine Spectator gave it 98... it ain't 98 for us, not even close. Yes, an excellent CA Chard that hits all the right notes, but we still prefer Beringer Reserve at $32.
May be selling the rating a little short. I have trouble articulating the flavor notes in this wine. It is very different.....in a good way. I like the result.
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Not wanting to alienate any cat lovers out there (I’m not one of you); take a wine containing a grape or grapes I like, add to it an outstanding review, and I’m unable to withhold my potential enthusiasm, just like catnip to a cat.
That’s what today’s wine is all about; no, not catnip! It’s that wine made with grape(s) I like and having obtained an outstanding review, in this case, a whopping 98 Points! It’s even a producer that I’ve known for some time and produces an array of great wines.
DuMOL Chardonnay Wester Reach 2019
There seems to be some sort of time continuum (space-time) in play as well. Back less than a year ago I reviewed the same wine, different vintage, actually it was 2016. So how does one year translate into 3 vintages; I would contact my good friend Albert to see if he could explain things, but he’s in a place that I don’t want to go, at least not yet. Besides, I don’t think I have his number up there.
Wait, you thought I was talking about Albert Einstein, funny, no; it’s a friend of mine who lives in Saskatchewan who understands things like this much better than I do, who doesn’t? I think I’ll table the physics lesson and concentrate on the wine.
Blended from 5 vineyards, 30% DuMOL estate, 22% Morelli, 16% Flax Estate, 16% Charles Heintz, and 16% Ritchie, the wine is hand-harvested and then fermented and aged for 11 months in 30% new French oak followed by complete malolactic fermentation. Their approach is both systematic and natural as they try to minimize the footprint in the fields.
Rich and lush with ginger and a nuttiness presented to the drinker, fruits of Apple, peach, butterscotch, help round out the wine. Its great acidity (even after complete malo) helps with that roundness. The 98-point rating may be a little generous, more like a solid 95 96. But I’m probably splitting hairs.
After picking some up at $55, I had the good fortune to find it elsewhere for just under $50! Couldn’t pass up getting more ON SALE!!
You don’t need to be a cat lover or a physics major to appreciate the wine, it’s a wonderful, full-bodied Chardonnay that is sure to please.
Medium deep straw. Poached stone fruit. Maybe a hint of squash. Some caramel and obvious buttery malolactic influence. A reasonable amount of vanilla. Sweet fruit. A tension to the wine based more on phenolic than acid. Powerful and very rich but lacks layers as well as complexity.
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5/7/2024 - JensAgo Likes this wine: 93 Points
The joy of drinking DuMol & the Wester Reach Chardonnay again (v19, 14.1% ABV) - 2.5 yrs since I last had this wine in this vintage - still an incredibly intense & lavish RR CH experience. The wine has dressed itself in gold in terms of appearance. Nose slightly reticent at first pour, opening up to deep & rich scents of peach & apricots, almonds, butterscotch, vanilla & barrel spice. Palate is round, even more tropical than nose w mango & pineapple, loads of citrus, striking acidity, mineral-drenched, long close! This truly combines US & European CH characteristics, still v young!
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2/2/2024 - Shavedaddy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nothing no the nose at first. Eventually you get some mango (?), green apple, and white flowers. Nice concentration. Long finish. A touch hot for my palate but good balance otherwise. Citrus peel, pith. Don't find much oak, you could convince me of some vanilla and baking spice though.
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9/28/2023 - Deegie Likes this wine: 91 Points
Always super yummy. My preference is for a bit less new oak but it retained a vibrant acidity which keeps it fresh. Lovely mix of citrus and stone fruit with the minerality that a good RRV wine should have. The primary flavors are a bit muted at fridge temp but definitely come out to play as it warms a bit. The finish is perhaps medium-plus in length and quite pleasant with a touch of spice.
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5/29/2023 - StaceyK Likes this wine: 92 Points
Loved it. No negatives.
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3/19/2023 - WineGuyFL Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just like two earlier bottles. This is a "different" chardonnay. I wish I could describe it more specifically. I just like it.
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2/24/2023 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 90 Points
Day 1: Pop and pour. This is good but not worth $45 compared to the Adelsheim Staking Claim I just had which was under $30. Oak, vanilla, spice, ripe pear, minerals and orange zest. Medium finish but acidity is lacking here. 90 points
Day 2: Not much different and has oak, vanilla, burnt toast, spice, ripe pear and minerals. While this is not a bad wine it just does not justify a $45 price tag on sale. 90 points
Day 3: Similar and the oak influence has not died down. This is an easy pass for me as the oak gets in the way of the fruit.
Recommendation: If you like oak this might be for you but those who like more balanced wines an easy pass.
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2/17/2023 - kabert Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very light straw color. This started off a little crisp, cold, and closed from the restaurant’s cellar. Warming up on the table helped open the wine, bringing apple and pear flavors. I didn’t sense any buttery or oaky notes but we didn’t decant the wine. I agree with other comments suggesting the wine could use some more cellar time, and I expect it’ll be a few points better in another 2-3 years (and served at a temp above 60 degrees). From wine list at Swiss Chalet (Vail).
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2/17/2023 - BernieMSY wrote: 91 Points
Buttery, modest oak. Classic Cali-style, restrained
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11/10/2022 - WineGuyFL Likes this wine: 93 Points
Like the first bottle consumed early this year. This is a "different" California Chardonnay.....does not have some of the bold notes that make some like CA Chardonnays......and others dislike them. I still struggle to describe the flavors, but it is not heavy and buttery. I am going to try to find more like it.
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8/27/2022 - whits Likes this wine: 93 Points
the scents are fresh with hints of chamomile, red apple and butterscotch, a judicious touch of oak gives creaminess to the balanced palate showcasing peach, vanilla, lime and saline flavors, long finish, tender, balanced and flavorful, there is much to appreciate, agree that it will drink best in a year or two
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8/19/2022 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Friday Group Brown Bag Tasting (R&D's): Double blind. Light color. Orchard fruit and jasmine notes. There’s a minerality on the palate that is very nice. Finishes with good length. Easy to pick out as another domestic chardonnay. (R&D)
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7/17/2022 - Quinn05 wrote: 90 Points
Chardonnay Tasting: This wine is very well made, however, at this stage the wine feels rather comercial and lacking in personality. There's lots of oak and typical California Chardonnay flavours. It gets better after about 20-30 minutes, but this really just needs more age. Hopefully it will develop into a more unique wine then. Revisit 2025.
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6/4/2022 - Miceri Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rich hay yellow; sweet nose, white flowers, green apples; medium body, nice acidity, rich middle with some sweetness, quite rich and bold aftertaste, few nuances; a “crowd pleaser” I guess and clearly not bad, actually quite well made, but somehow it does not really do it for me
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5/14/2022 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium golden yellow in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of apples, peaches & citrus notes of lemons/limes with overtones of floral notes of honeysuckle, minerals, stony, almonds, some baking spices & a just a hint of vanilla/oak in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth texture, ripe flavors of apples, pears & lemons/limes with minerals, a hint of honey & a slight notes oak/vanilla in the background. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present but has the fruit & structure to continue to develop further if aged several additional years.
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1/28/2022 - seijaro Likes this wine: 93 Points
Paid $45 because the shelf card said Wine Spectator gave it 98... it ain't 98 for us, not even close. Yes, an excellent CA Chard that hits all the right notes, but we still prefer Beringer Reserve at $32.
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1/16/2022 - WineGuyFL Likes this wine: 92 Points
May be selling the rating a little short. I have trouble articulating the flavor notes in this wine. It is very different.....in a good way. I like the result.
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1/9/2022 - csnyder612 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Clear, straw, color. Aroma of honeysuckle, vanilla, toast, almond. Medium plus body, silky texture, medium acidity, stone fruit, plus finish.
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12/14/2021 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
It's Like Catnip
Not wanting to alienate any cat lovers out there (I’m not one of you); take a wine containing a grape or grapes I like, add to it an outstanding review, and I’m unable to withhold my potential enthusiasm, just like catnip to a cat.
That’s what today’s wine is all about; no, not catnip! It’s that wine made with grape(s) I like and having obtained an outstanding review, in this case, a whopping 98 Points! It’s even a producer that I’ve known for some time and produces an array of great wines.
DuMOL Chardonnay Wester Reach 2019
There seems to be some sort of time continuum (space-time) in play as well. Back less than a year ago I reviewed the same wine, different vintage, actually it was 2016. So how does one year translate into 3 vintages; I would contact my good friend Albert to see if he could explain things, but he’s in a place that I don’t want to go, at least not yet. Besides, I don’t think I have his number up there.
Wait, you thought I was talking about Albert Einstein, funny, no; it’s a friend of mine who lives in Saskatchewan who understands things like this much better than I do, who doesn’t? I think I’ll table the physics lesson and concentrate on the wine.
Blended from 5 vineyards, 30% DuMOL estate, 22% Morelli, 16% Flax Estate, 16% Charles Heintz, and 16% Ritchie, the wine is hand-harvested and then fermented and aged for 11 months in 30% new French oak followed by complete malolactic fermentation. Their approach is both systematic and natural as they try to minimize the footprint in the fields.
Rich and lush with ginger and a nuttiness presented to the drinker, fruits of Apple, peach, butterscotch, help round out the wine. Its great acidity (even after complete malo) helps with that roundness. The 98-point rating may be a little generous, more like a solid 95 96. But I’m probably splitting hairs.
After picking some up at $55, I had the good fortune to find it elsewhere for just under $50! Couldn’t pass up getting more ON SALE!!
You don’t need to be a cat lover or a physics major to appreciate the wine, it’s a wonderful, full-bodied Chardonnay that is sure to please.
Cheers
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12/5/2021 - Rond Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium gold. Apple, white peach, and buttery notes. A bit heavy on the finish.
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6/16/2021 - Fat1Wombat wrote: 91 Points
Medium deep straw.
Poached stone fruit. Maybe a hint of squash. Some caramel and obvious buttery malolactic influence. A reasonable amount of vanilla.
Sweet fruit. A tension to the wine based more on phenolic than acid.
Powerful and very rich but lacks layers as well as complexity.
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