We focus today on one of the great producers of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet in California. I am not going out on a limb by saying that this is an extraordinary new lineup by DuMOL. It is hard to find a winery that provides the depth of lineup that DuMol exudes. Strangely DuMOL was born in 1996 initially as a hobby for three friends as the project was not initially focused on producing world class wines. Since 1999 Andy Smith been at the helm as winemaker. Originally from Scotland, Andy has previously worked at Dry River, Littorai, Havens, Franus, to Matua and Mt Pleasant wineries. Andy went on to graduate in viticulture and enology from Lincoln University in Christchurch, NZ and later became assistant winemaker for Paul Hobbs. Needless to say, Andy Smith has a handle on every single varietal that he touches.
The current releases by DuMOL were every bit as good as they were last year — perhaps even better. For the second year in a row, I was blown away with the 2016 DuMOL ‘Clare Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay (WWB, 94) shows outstanding range, tension and length. This is one for the cellar. Andy Smith has crafted some stunning new Cabernets, none more so than his gorgeous 2016 DuMOL ‘Meteor Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 95) which not only has incredible weight but shows remarkable poise from this warm vintage in the Napa Valley. massive treat that will cellar marvelously but is nearly impossible to put down right now. Learn more about this great winery at https://www.dumol.com Here are the great new releases by DuMOL.
2016 DuMOL ‘Wild Mountainside’ Viognier- The ‘WIld Mountainside’ shows beautiful starfruit, roasted pinepple and lychee aromas that all collide in the glass. The texture here is marvelous and delightfully coats the mid-palate. Orange cream, lemon zest and bright pineapple flavors all connect in the glass. A delight to savor now, this will continue to develop for the next decade. Drink. 2019-2025- 92
2016 DuMOL ‘DuMOL Estate Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The ‘DuMol Estate Vineyard’ is a high-density vineyard located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, right near the Pacific Ocean. This wine is an exceptional bottling by the talented Andy Smith. The nose is classic Sonoma with bright pear, butterscotch and a whiff of salted praline that fills the glass. The palate is silky smooth, as the seamless texture entices. White peach, toasted brioche and vanilla creme brûlée flavors all collide on the palate. Seductive while light on its feet, this beautiful wine has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2019-2033- 94
2016 DuMOL ‘Charles Heintz Vineyard Isobel’ Chardonany- The ‘Isobel,’ sourced from the Charles Heintz Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA, is another stunning bottling by DuMol. Set at 800 feet, the maritime influence at this great vineyard is quite striking. On the nose this takes on roasted pineapple with butterscotch and orange marmalade aromatics that are simply seductive. The palate reveals a sterling minerality with lemon zest infused creme brulee, roasted pineapple cream and Challah bread flavors all taking shape. This also has some very serious aging potential but is nearly impossible to resist right now. Drink 2019-2033- 94
2016 DuMOL ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay- One of the great vineyards in California owned and managed by Larry Hyde, the Hyde Vineyard is located in the Carneros AVA and has a strong maritime influence with its close proximity to the San Francisco Bay. Buttercream, brioche and lemon zest aromas all fill the glass. The palate reveals serious power with a wonderful texture and viscosity. This seamless glides through the mid-palate delivering creamy and citrus rind flavors, all leading to a minute-long finish. A complete wine, this gorgeous effort will continue to evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 95
2016 DuMOL ‘Widdoes Vineyard Ryan’ Pinot Noir- This Russian River Valley Pinot Nor shows wonderful ripeness on the nose with Bing cherry cordial, wild strawberry and cola accents that fill the glass. The palate is wonderfully rich with copious dark and red fruits with cola and orange rind tones intermingled. Downright delicious now, this beautiful wine will provide drinking enjoyment for the next decade or more. Drink 2019-2033- 94
2016 DuMOL ‘Finn’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Finn’ Pinot Noir was sourced from the DuMol Estate (60%) as well as the Occidental Road Vineyard (40%). This opens with a heady bouquet of blood orange zest, wet stone, red cherry candy and pomegranate seed with a whiff of saline infused cola. The palate shows similar brightness and salinity exposed on the nose as salted pomegranate seed and red cherry cordial flavors connect with citrus rind and wet stone character. This is highly complex and satisfying Pinot Noir that will have a long life in the cellar — but is completely irresistible right now. Drink 2019-2035- 95
2016 DuMOL ‘DuMOL Estate’ Pinot Noir- A beautiful new wine, the ‘DuMol Estate’ is one for the cellar. Lighter in color than the ‘Ryan’ bottling, this shows lighter red fruit tones with red rose water and Tangerine zest aromas that all marvelously combine once in the glass. The palate is both lithe and gratifying with good weight and balance. Red fruits dance with citrus rind tones and loads of minerals on the palate Refined and downright delicious, the ‘Finn’ will cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 94
2016 DuMOL ‘DuMOL Estate’ Syrah- this Sonoma Coast AVA wine needs an hour in the decanter to fully unwind. Once unveiled this yields complex aromas of wild thyme, salted meats, white pepper and blackberry cobbler. Medium-bodied, with a wonderful minerality, the wine shows a great salinity with citrus rind, red and dark fruits and smoked meats all impressing on the palate. Complex and delicious now, this will continue to evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 94
2016 DuMOL ‘Greywacke Vineyard Eddie’s Patch’ Syrah- The ‘Eddie’s Patch’ is a two-acre steep east-facing hillside parcel of vines that is set on rocky and gravel soils. rocks and gravel. A darker color than the ‘DuMol Estate’ Syrah, this shows really nice range from dark fruits to bacon fat to Umami on the nose. The palate has a good combination of weight and tension, showing downright delicious dark fruit and citrus rind flavors, with stony undertones. Lithe and delicious, this beautiful Syrah will continue to evolve well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2033- 94
2016 DuMOl ‘Ballard Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Located in the Spring Mountain AVA, this shows a bouquet of mocha, crushed mint and copious dark fruits that fill the nose. The palate has both great weight and balance with dark cherry cough syrup, creme de cassis, anise and red bell pepper undertones. Complex and delicious, this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next twenty years. Drink 2019-2035- 94
2016 DuMOL ‘Meteor Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Located in the Coombsville AVA, this beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 20 months in 55% new French oak prior to bottling. On the nose this takes on wonderful green bell pepper tones with creme de cassis and blackberry cordial aromas all marvelously combining. The palate is plush, layered and decadent. Turkish coffee, anise, creme de cassis and shades of dried herbs all marvelously combine in this complex Cabernet. Stunning now, this will continue to develop over the next twenty plus years. Drink 2019-2039- 95
2016 DuMOL ‘Montecillo Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Superstar winemaker, Andy Smith, has crafted another stunning new wine with this new ‘Montecillo Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon release. This starts off with anise, blueberry compote and blackberry pie on the nose with herbal undertones. The palate is lithe, showing a wonderful minerality. Dark fruits mingle with minerals and mocha flavors. Complex and utterly delicious now, this will cellar well for fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2035- 94