Winemaker Notes
Dark ruby purple; dark complex brooding aromas of earth, meat, tobacco and tapenade open to sweeter blackberry floral notes. Cassis, graphite and violet lead to dried herb and savory notes on the palate. As the wine opens, the natural fruit sweetness develops with a smoky mineral streak and bittersweet chocolate notes. Round elegant tannins offer grip and density to the lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Syrah Eddies Patch, which includes one-third whole clusters, displays a dark purple color, terrific texture and notes of camphor, pepper, roasted meats and abundant blackberry and cassis fruit. This inky Syrah possesses superb intensity and richness, but sadly, it will undoubtedly be difficult to sell. Go figure!
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Jeb Dunnuck
A full-bodied Syrah that needs another 3-4 years of bottle age, the 2008 DuMOL Syrah Eddie's Patch has solid complexity with deep black fruit characteristics being supported by notions of smoke, gunpowder, mineral, and coffee on the nose. Less exuberant and upfront than the '09, yet with firm underlying structure, excellent acids, and ample length on the finish, this is best left alone at this point to let all of the components integrate, but should have a long life ahead of it.
Rating: 93+ -
Wine Spectator
Firm, intense and peppery, with complex dried berry, mineral, tobacco and sage flavors. Full-bodied, yet light on its feet, even delicate, ending with supple tannins.
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.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.