DuMOL 'Isobel' Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 750ml

Product Info

95pts The Wine Advocate
"The 2023 Chardonnay Isobel Charles Heintz Vineyard comes from grapes harvested on October 12 and 14. Matured for 11 months in 23% new French oak cigare barrels, followed by four months in tank, it has slowly unfurling scents of white peach, lemon peel, vanilla custard, pie crust and soft herbal undertones. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with youthfully flinty flavors. It’s balanced by bright, shimmery acidity and has a long, layered finish. It will benefit from a few years in the cellar." - Erin Brooks

Terroir
Sourced from the renowned Charles Heintz Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, this Chardonnay reflects one of California’s most celebrated cool-climate sites. Located just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard is heavily influenced by maritime fog and persistent coastal winds, allowing for an exceptionally long growing season and slow, even ripening. The combination of Goldridge sandy loam soils and cool temperatures produces fruit with remarkable acidity, mineral tension, and layered complexity.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Crafted with a site-driven, Burgundian-inspired philosophy, the fruit is hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed before fermentation in French oak barrels. Native yeast fermentation and extended lees aging build texture and depth, while careful oak integration preserves the vineyard’s freshness and precision. The approach emphasizes balance and transparency, allowing the natural energy and mineral character of Charles Heintz Vineyard to remain central to the wine’s identity.

Tasting Notes
Pale gold in the glass, the 2023 opens with expressive aromas of Meyer lemon, white peach, pear, and citrus blossom layered with notes of wet stone, toasted hazelnut, and subtle spice. The palate is concentrated yet vibrant, offering ripe orchard and stone fruit balanced by bright acidity and a finely textured mouthfeel. Hints of brioche, saline minerality, and restrained oak emerge through the long, focused finish, which combines richness with remarkable precision.

Food Pairing & Service
A beautifully structured Chardonnay, this wine pairs exceptionally well with lobster, scallops, roast chicken, creamy pasta dishes, and rich seafood preparations. It also complements mushroom-based cuisine and soft-ripened cheeses. Serve lightly chilled and consider decanting briefly in its youth to allow its aromatics and texture to fully develop.

Cellaring Potential
Built for graceful evolution, this Chardonnay will continue to develop over the next 10–15 years. With time, its vibrant citrus and orchard fruit profile will deepen into layered notes of honey, toasted nuts, brioche, and savory complexity while retaining its core freshness and structure.