Winemaker Notes
Four of the six vineyard components are steep east-facing hillside vineyard sites that have great impact on the wine. Their vines absorb the gentle morning sun but their steepness moderates the harsher afternoon heat and this brings great character to the wine. The final two sites are very cool climate vineyards - Syrah planted in Pinot territory – and these bring elegance, texture and fruit purity to the blend.
This is a wine that will age into something truly spectacular.At bottling the floral aromas dominated, but expect the meaty side of Syrah to gradually assert itself over the next few years as is typical with cool climate Syrah. For all its intensity and chewy concentration, however, the wine is always nimble and agile with great acidity on the long spicy, peppery finish. Don't miss this great bottling!
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Generous and intensely spicy in tone with solid blackberry, gamy and black pepper credentials to its aromas, this full-bodied, tightly constructed wine comes with both depth and structure to spare. Its ripeness plays second fiddle to its fruit, and its flavors, despite their volume, have yet to begin their inevitable unwinding into greater layering and accessibility. At every turn, this exceptionally balanced effort sets strength upon strength and impresses that its only need is time in the bottle.
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Wine Spectator
Firm, intense and chewy, at points rustic and edgy, this manages to deliver a tight, potent, concentrated mix of dried berry, pomegranate, black licorice and cedar flavors. Ends with gritty tannins. Best from 2013 through 2020.
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.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.