DuMOL Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2009
-
Suckling
James -
Guide
Connoisseurs'
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The 2009 RRV Pinot Noir which kicks off the vintage might be their finest effort to date as it displays all the qualities to develop into something truly special. Reminscent of its 2001 and 2005 cousins which have both gained great complexity with age. Everything about this wine exudes subtlety and balance - there's plenty of fresh, ripe fruit, but it never overwhelms, remaining focused, bright and pure throughout.
A large chunk of DuMOL Estate fruit forms the backbone of the wine and it's this component that delivers the wine's verve and liveliness. The Widdoes vineyard blends deeper bass notes into the wine with some classic earthy non-fruit nuanced complexity. The remaining components offer varying textures, fruit tones and acid/tannin structures in their own unique ways.
As with all DuMOL wines, you can enjoy its freshness and zesty fruit on release, but far greater rewards await with 3 to 6+ years of patience. No doubt this wine will transform in the bottle into something really thrilling and this is equally true of all the 2009 red wines, both Pinot and Syrah.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
A solid wine with dried strawberry and cherry character with hints of lemons and dried meat that follow through to a full body, with medium chewy tannins and a fruity finish. Robusto fruity style but some balance at the same time. Lovers of fruit-forward Pinot will like this. Better in 2013.
-
Connoisseurs' Guide
Ripe black-cherries are comfortably combined with a fair bit of toasty oak in vital young aromas of this nicely defined wine, and what is promised in the nose is delivered in kind by the plush, yet well-composed, flavors that follow. Like all of the very good 2009 DuMOL offerings, this one is simply brimming with fruit, but it needs to age past the tart edge of eleventh-hour acidity that presently cuts off its finish, and we recommend a wait of at least two or three years.
Other Vintages
2014-
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Guide
Connoisseurs'
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
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.