2022 Du MOL Chenin Blanc
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Organically farmed. Fruit was picked early and quickly to avoid a heat event. Whole-cluster pressed into a combination of neutral Austrian and French oak of various sizes. Fermented with ambient yeasts and went naturally through malolactic conversion. Aged for 11 months before bottling following cross-flow filtration. RS 2.5 g/l. 285 cases produced. Smells of Asian pear and white flowers. Bright floral flavours of pear and citrus peel have a vanilla or Fior di Latte quality. Crisp acidity accompanies candied grapefruit into the finish. Very good acidity and balance. (AY)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
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Although Dumol has crafted Chenin Blanc for a few years now, this 2022 Chenin Blanc is the first time one has been released commercially. Grapes come entirely from a 0.6-acre planting at the top of Dumol's MacIntyre Estate Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Grapes were harvested on September 10, much earlier than usual due to the heat. It was fermented and matured for 10 months in a used, 2,000-liter Austrian foudre and underwent full malolactic conversion. It's a dynamic wine that combines the ripe fruit of California with the pleasant funkiness of some French versions. Scents of peaches and mango are underpinned by iron and wool on the nose. The light-bodied palate is dry (just 2.5 grams per liter residual sugar), rounded in texture and structured by taut acidity. It has expansive flavors tinged by tones of honey and oats and a long finish. It's a powerful Chenin that unwinds over several days, and it will gain savory complexity in the cellar over the next decade. "I think Chenin is having a back-to-the-future moment right now," winegrower Andy Smith says. "In fact, we're about to plant another two acres next spring." Just 290 cases were made.