2017 Highland Divide Chardonnay

The 2017 Chardonnay Highland Divide is a sort of super-appellation wine made from a blend of fruit from the estate and Morelli that offers quite a bit of exuberance in both its flavors and textures. Orange peel, honeysuckle, wild flowers and tropical accents all grace this wonderfully inviting Chardonnay from DuMol. I loved it.

The 2017 Chardonnay Highland Divide was barrel fermented and aged 12 months on the lees in 33% new oak. It's toasty on the nose with loads of spices over a core of ripe peach, apricot and nectarine, honey, crème fraîche, citrus peel and crushed shell. Light to medium-bodied, it offers a good interplay of mineral and savory character with tangy acidity and a very long, focused finish. 950 cases produced.

Also from the Russian River Valley, the 2017 Chardonnay Highland Divide comes from the cooler Green Valley region and a slightly higher elevation site (it’s still in the fog layer though). Lots of citrus, lemon curd, and orange blossom notes as well as some salty minerality emerge from this rich yet racy white. A great example of the vintage with its sweet fruit and bright acidity, it’s balanced, with terrific purity of fruit and a great finish.