Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Pinot Noir Finn (two-thirds from the DuMOL estate and a third from the Occidental Road Vineyard) includes fruit from numerous clones, most notably the Calera selection. This wine shows some notes of sassafras, black and red currants, cherries, loamy soil notes and underbrush. It is a dark ruby/plum-colored, medium to full-bodied, and again, relatively concentrated like the Ryan. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.
-
Connoisseurs' Guide
Lavish oak jumps out to an early lead here, but very keen fruit proves to be more than its equal before long, and, if colored by lots of vanilla and sweet spice throughout, this very deep and impressively extracted Pinot is governed by fruit first and last. It is full on the palate with a bit of coarseness and heat coming on at the finish to counter and contrast its comparatively mannerly beginnings, but its raggedness is no mortal sin as a few years’ stay in the cellar is certain to prove. This one is a sure bet that is eminently worth taking.
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.