Winemaker Notes
Comprised of three of DuMOL's region's unique sub-districts, this wine blends fruits from the valley itself, with vineyards further west, stretching out to the coolest 'reaches' of the appellation's high elevation coastal ridge.
The wine's broad base is centered upon the coastal DuMOL Estate with dark fruit intensity, savory spice, and bright vibrancy. At higher elevation on a ridgetop overlooking the Green Valley, Dutton Ranch offers soaring red and black fruit characters of beautiful purity. On the deeper silty/clays of the Santa Rosa Plains, Occidental Road provides broad fruit extract and textural richness. Flax Estate overlooking the river in the Middle Reach weaves in volume, structure, and density from hillside volcanic soils. Placida on the Laguna Ridge ripens late with impressive texture and lingering mossy complexity
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
A classic, distinctive and compelling red. So leafy, floral and tea-like in aromas, then fresh, concentrated and generous on the palate, offering red cherries, sour cherries, black tea, bay leaves and blueberries backed by vibrant acidity and light tannins.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Pinot Noir Wester Reach boasts a bright red hue and opens with a spicy, fresh nose that carries a cool-climate edge. Ripe cranberries, lifted spices, fresh roses, and piney herbs lead the aromatics, and it’s medium-bodied and compact on the palate, with a refreshing line of acidity, fine tannins, and a weightless texture. The finish is long and laced with elegant spice.
-
Wine Spectator
Bursts with juicy raspberry, mulberry and bitter cherry coulis flavors that stretch out lengthily, plus savory, red tea and rose petal notes that add energy and range. Shows a snap of red licorice and a singed apple wood frame on the finish while keeping its energy up. Best from 2026 through 2036.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is blended from several vineyards, including Dumol Estate, Flax, Occidental Road and Dutton. Grapes were harvested September 22 through October 10, and the wine was matured for 15 months in 28% new French oak. It bursts from the glass with intense aromas of cranberry sauce, pomegranate, orange peel, black tea leaves and conifer. The full-bodied palate features concentrated, nuanced flavors although its silky tannins and vibrant acidity give it a weightless feel, and it has a very long, layered finish.
-
Vinous
The 2023 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is soft, fruity and easygoing, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years or more. Soft contours wrap around a core of red/purplish fruit, sweet spice and flowers. There's lovely immediacy and succulence here. Bright acids pull it all together. Delicious.
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.