Winemaker Notes
One of the highlights of the entire vintage, their new release 2023 MacIntyre Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir rivals the stellar 2021 for their finest expression yet from this dynamic vineyard. The wine is a study of contrasts—packed full of deep, dense fruits but with a vivid and distinctly elegant purity. The level of fruit here is quite remarkable: a “wall of fruit" seems an apt description, and this comes from the tiny berries these vines seem to want to produce—the clusters weigh half of a normal Pinot bunch. The cool site provides lifted aromatics and lively acidity to complete the picture. Quality and character like this are very rare, and the wine can be opened soon after release, or better still, give it a year in bottle to round out and relax for a fully complete showing.
Soaring aromatic range typical of vines grown on sandy soil: deep dark fruit offset by delicate floral tones and mineral freshness. Mint, sage, and hibiscus notes add complexity. Bright red fruits dominate the entry but quickly darken to a powerfully deep black fruit expression of cassis and huckleberry. As the wine opens, its succulent texture unfolds underpinned by racy acidity and youthful structure. The swirling aromas and flavors echo long on the finish. Drink between late-2025 and 2035 and gently decant in its youth to bring out its texture fully.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
So pure, vibrant and concentrated, expanding in dark berries, black cherries, bitter oranges and cassis as you sip. Structured firmly with moderate tannins and vibrant acidity that frame gorgeous black fruit, minerals and savory spices. Full-bodied.
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Vinous
The 2023 Pinot Noir MacIntyre Estate is another hugely promising wine from DuMOL. Dense and packed to the core, the 2023 possesses tremendous density from start to finish. The 2023 is all Calera clone, 100% destemmed. Today, it comes across as rather somber, not as exuberant as the 2021, but far more complete than the 2022. Savory overtones linger on the close.
Barrel Sample: 95-97 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir MacIntyre Estate Vineyard comes from grapes harvested on October 2 and 3, and the wine was matured for 11 months in 33% new French oak. It opens with aromas of charcuterie and flint that give way to expressive wafts of blueberry, pomegranate, aniseed, cedar and bergamot. The full-bodied palate is powerful and refined. Its concentrated, layered flavors are structured by luxuriously silky tannins and vibrant acidity, and it has a very long, kaleidoscopic finish. It should be long lived in the cellar.
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of fresh black cherry, roses, cinnamon and sage burst from the glass on the nose of this Pinot. The palate is energetic, with flavors of spiced plum, crushed Bing cherry, orange peel, black tea and purple flowers dancing along the finish. Delicious now, this should reward patience. Drink 2028-2040.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Bright ruby in color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Macintyre Estate Vineyard is from 8-year-old vines, mostly small-berried Calera clone vines, and was fully destemmed. It’s forward and exuberant in the glass, with hints of blue fruit, fresh violets, pine needles, and dewy earth. Medium to full-bodied, it has a cooling, minty lift throughout, elegant length, and a youthful, energetic structure. Drink 2025-2040.
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.
The Sonoma Coast AVA is large in area but, not counting overlapping regions like Russian River Valley, only has a few thousand acres of grapevines—and it’s no wonder. Much of the region is rugged and not easily accessible. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean’s fog and cool breezes limits the varieties that can be cultivated, but it proves to be an ideal environment for high quality Pinot Noir.
Since fog is a frequent fact of life here, as are heavy marine layers that sometimes bring rain, the best vineyards are wisely planted above the fog line, on picturesque ridges that capture enough sun to provide even ripening. That, with the overnight drop in temperature that reliably preserves acidity, results in fine expressions of Pinot Noir that often receive tremendous critic and consumer praise alike, and are often in high demand.