Winemaker Notes
It's most similar to the 2002 Finn bottling which has become majestic in its maturity and one would anticipate this bottling to age gracefully for at least a decade. As with all great wines, there's a naturally limited supply, so carefully select the occasion to open this treasure.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2009 Pinot Noir Finn wraps around the palate with waves of dark red fruit. This is another plush, deep wine endowed with tremendous depth and sheer textural richness. Dark black cherries, flowers, spices and mint are layered in this effortless, totally gracious Pinot. The dark, sensual style is very inviting. The Finn is made from the best block in the Estate vineyard and another plot in Occidental Road. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
It is easy to make the case that this one is the ripest and most full-bodied of the DuMOL lot, but, once again, the wine is not near to being over-the-top or outsized, and its ripeness never pushes fruit from center stage. Supple and fleshy with a feel of substance and very rich in sweet oak, it is the kind of Pinot that wants drinking with savory, slowly braised dishes such as Boeuf Bourguignon, and, of the bunch, it is the one we would chose to drink first.
Respect for the land
DuMOL is a “vineyard up” winery with a fully integrated approach to winegrowing and winemaking. DuMOL planted its high-density estate vineyards and has farmed many of California’s most renowned vineyards for more than two decades.
Commitment to craft
DuMOL sticks to what works and is focused on the fundamentals, finding inspiration in master, visionary producers around the world as DuMOL continually hones its craft—never imitating, ever refining.
Connected on a personal level
This is a project that comes from who the DuMOL team is and what they love. A deep connection is paramount: to the land, the wines, and the customers.
Heritage and experience
Founded in 1996, DuMOL is a latter-day pioneer in the Russian River Valley. Winemaker, Viticulturist and Partner, Andy Smith, farmed the region for nearly a decade before joining in 1999, and Associate Winemakers Julie Cooper and Jenna Davis, and Cellar Master Jaime Eufracio, have over 40 years combined experience at DuMOL.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.