Winemaker Notes
The wine’s aromas and flavors are akin to black cherry, boysenberry, hibiscus, anise, moss, and juniper. The palate is simultaneously bright yet dark, with mineral drive, violet floral lift, and bay laurel freshness. Tannins and acidity fuse to lengthen these flavors, and the wine finishes with dried herbs and orange zest lift. Great aging potential. Drink between 2025 and 2034 and decant for an hour in its youth to hasten the development.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
From the estate’s top vineyard, planted with 100% Calera clone in more clay soil, the 2022 Pinot Noir DuMOL Estate Vineyard boasts a ripe ruby color and classic aromas of pure cherries, candied roses, sweet Asian spices, and sweet sap. Medium-bodied, it’s elegant and refined on the palate, with a silky texture, an approachable feel, and a fresh, clean, soft, stony finish. Drink 2024-2036.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard comes from high-density, Swan and Calera-clone vines planted in 2004. Grapes were harvested on August 15-16, well before the Labor Day heat wave. This has expressive, wild aromas of black and red berries, blood orange, earth, violet and botanicals. The light-bodied palate features concentrated, spicy fruit. Its mouthwatering acidity and powdery tannins give it a sense of weightlessness, and it has a long, detailed finish.
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James Suckling
Rather flamboyant, with ripe strawberry and iron notes and iodine undertones. Full and flavorful, yet with framed and polished gorgeous fruit and hints of strawberry tart and pie crust at the end. What you would expect of a top Russian River pinot. Calera clone with a touch of Swan. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2022 Pinot Noir DuMOL Estate Vineyard is laced with black cherry, plum, leather, cloves, rose petals and lavender, which are nicely amplified in this succulent, mid-weight Pinot Noir. Time in the glass brings out the wine's inner sweetness and perfume. Soft contours wrap it all together in style. Pretty floral and mineral notes linger. The DuMOL Estate Pinot is typically a blend of Calera and Swan clones. In 2022, the team opted to use only the Calera section.
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Wine Spectator
Plump, polished and friendly in feel, this offers plum, cherry and blood orange puree notes coated with a gloss of red licorice through the finish.
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.