Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Pinot Noir Estate is made from three clones – the Calera, Joseph Swan and clone 943. A fragrant perfume of black and blue fruits, tree bark, truffles, roasted herbs and subtle charcoal embers emerges from this broodingly rich, intense, full-bodied, concentrated yet still youthful Pinot Noir. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Slightly brighter and just a bit lighter than the rest of its mates but a wonderfully complete and energetic young wine that is layered and lively with a lovely fit of fresh-apple fruit and enticing crème brûlée extras running its length, DuMOL’s estate bottling is a deft demonstration of the fact that vitality and richness are far from being mutually exclusive. It is not a big wine, but it is long on flavor and range, and, if its certain prettiness affords it plenty of short- term appeal, it is balanced to keep and will show added complexity with age.
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.