Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
From a volcanic high-elevation site planted to older vines, this beguiling red is velvety and lush on the palate with strong bursts of blueberry, blackberry and cassis. Fresh acidity lies beneath earthy shocks of dried herb, clove, nutmeg and a grip of crushed rock, finishing as seamlessly as it starts, in a whirl of dark chocolate.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard comes from the Moon Mountain AVA in the southern part of Sonoma and has a Château Margaux-like bouquet of blueberries, cassis, sandalwood, tobacco, and scrub brush. This cuvée comes from vines planted in 1964 and spent 20 months in 50% new French oak. It’s rich and full-bodied, with ample tannic grip and loads of character. Hide bottles for 3-4 years and it’s going to last for 2+ decades. Rating: 94+
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1964. It was aged 20 months in 50% new Atelier oak. Medium to deep ruby, it offers scents of fresh herbs, mint chocolate, cedar, pencil shavings, blackcurrant and baked black cherries plus warm red cherry preserves, crushed stone and leather hints. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a good interplay of spice/herbs with ripe black fruits in the mouth, framed by very ripe, finely pixelated tannins and great freshness to lift the long, concentrated, layered finish. 320 cases produced.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Featuring dark fruits reminiscent of black cherries with a loamy soil note as well and underlying hints of black plums, the nose then picks up both curranty and oak notes as it opens. Full on the palate and on the slightly gruff, youthful side from its evident astringency, it is bound to round into drinkable form in the next three to five years and we would expect that it will hold well in bottle after that.
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.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Situated in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley in the Vaca range, the vineyards of the Coombsville AVA enjoy a long growing season mitigated by cool, San Pablo Bay fog.