One of the storied Russian River Valley estates, DuMOL is one of North America’s great producers of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet in California. DuMol has simply a magical lineup that rivals anything in the state. Originally born as a hobby in 1996, DuMOL became official in 1999 when Andy Smith began making some really special wines. Andy hails from Scotland, and has previous stints 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 sensational and are some of the best lineups of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that you will find. They 2017 DuMOL ‘Chloe, Ritchie Vineyard’ Chardonnay (WWB, 95) is a masterful wine that has massive tension and a huge core of orchard fruits. The long finish is tremendous. Andy Smith has crafted some stunning new Cabernets, and his 2017 DuMOL ‘Meteor Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 95) is a stunning wine that has tremendous depth and concentration as well as acidity. This giant beast of a wine really needs another year or two in the cellar to mature. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.dumol.com Here are my reviews of the stunning new releases by DuMOL.
2017 DuMOL ‘Chloe, Ritchie Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The ‘Chloe’ is sourced from this famed vineyard in the Russian River Valley AVA. This is their seventeenth vintage of this great wine which is old vine Wente clone Chardonnay. The nose shows serious range from butterscotch to lemon zest and shades of roasted hazelnut that all take center stage in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, showing a wonderful combination of viscosity and tension. Rich buttercream and Meyer lemon creme brûlée flavors combine brilliantly with the earthy undertones. Every bit profound in its youth, this true heavyhitter of a Chardonnay is a masterpiece by superstar winemaker Andy Smith. Enjoy this great wine over the next decade, as it will pick up lovely tertiary tones as it ages. Drink 2020-2032- 95
2017 DuMOL‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay- One of the great spots in the Carneros AVA, the Hyde Vineyard has been one of the most famous sites for Chardonnay in North America over the past decades. Needing to be warmed up a bit and showing better with some air, the 2017 ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay was aged in 32% new French oak for twelve months prior to bottling. The earthy tones brilliantly combine with freshly cut pineapple and vanilla cream that all mingle together in the glass. The freshness and verve to the wine is fantastic. Highly elegant and showing great length, the wine delivers a long and lingering lemon cream finish that gratifies. Beautiful in its youth, the 2017 ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 94
2017 DuMOL ‘Isobel, Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay- The 2017 DuMol ‘Isobel’ Chardonnay is a sinfully good new bottling by the talented hands of Scotsman Andy Smith. On the nose this takes on rich pineapple upside down cake and hints of wild mushrooms and cloves crusted brioche that all mingle together in the glass. The soft, almost oily texture and bright sense of minerality really shows through.Intense orchard and tropical fruits combine with minerals and freshly baked French bread flavors all amalgamate seamlessly. A sly dusting of salinity runs through the core of the wine, adding to the seriously good flavor range. While this is absolutely singing right now, the 2017 DuMol Chardonnay will have a long life in the cellar. Drink 2020-2032-95’
2017 DuMOL ‘Finn’ Pinot Noir- Released in the fall of 2019, the ‘Finn’ Pinot Noir is sourced from mainly the O’Connell Estate Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Aged for fifteen months in 50% new French oak, this shows a wide array of red and dark fruits aromatically with lovely black tea, forest floor and shades of black truffle shavings that all march in unison in the glass. The palate has a silky mouthfeel with gobs of red and dark fruits, with citrus rind and peat moss tones that round out this fabulous new Pinot Noir bottling. While this is fresh and vibrant in its youth, it will evolve well for a decade or more to come, picking up lovely tertiary tones as it ages. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2017 DuMOL ‘Ryan, Jentoft Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Ryan’ Pinot Noir is sourced from the ‘Jentoft Vineyard’ which is a new site utilized by winemaker Andy Smith and is characterized by shallow coastal marine soils that have layers of sandstone bedrock poking through the topsoil. The resultant Pinot Noir is a simply wondrous bottling that you really want to sit with over several hours as it evolves. The saline driven and silty aromatics derived from this great wine are simply amazing. Just as good is the verve and incredible freshness that goes along with the great viscosity of the wine. The seamless quality marvelously accentuates this beautiful new bottling. Gorgeous and polished in its youth, the ‘Ryan’ Pinot Noir will have a long life ahead of it — but is nearly impossible to resist right now. Drink 2020-2035- 96
2017 DuMOL ‘DuMol Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- A true heavyhitter, the 2017 DuMol ‘DuMol Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a scintillating new bottling from this storied Russian River Valley estate. Sourced from the ‘DuMol Estate Vineyard’ which is known for its high density plantings. This is a relatively new vineyard which is planted to Calera, Swan & 943 Pinot Noir clones. Needing a one hour decant to fully evolve, the wine takes it shape with plush dark fruits with teaberry and orange rind accents alongside earthy undertones that build in the glass. The palate is silky smooth and highly elegant but also rich and gratifying. Wild blackberry and black cherry fill the core of the wine alongside the damp earth and copious minerals on the palate. Fantastic to enjoy while young, try to give this a long decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2021-2035- 96
2017 DuMOL ‘Estate Vineyard’ Syrah- The ‘Estate’ Syrah is sourced from a two acre parcel set on the Sonoma Coast AVA. Yields were down considerably in 2017 as this was largely aged in neutral puncheons prior to bottling. Right away the saline drenched red and dark fruits provide great aromatic appeal. Round, showing beautiful astringency and a soft texture, this gorgeous, terroir-driven Syrah has great range from orange rind to red cherry preserves and wild blackberry combining with the salted damp earth nuances. The long and inviting finish culminates this great new wine that will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 95
2017 DuMOL‘Ballard Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The heavily forested Balllard Vineyard is perched high atop Spring Mountain. The Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for twenty months in 57% new French oak prior to bottling. Immediately the rich cassis and dark berry aromas entice, melding with the dusty terroir and shades of sweet pipe tobacco that all mingle in the glass. The palate is dense and lush, providing medium tannins and a generous mouthfeel. Rich blackberry cobbler, mocha, tar and anise combine with the menthol and damp earthy tones of the wine. Showing a great combination of balance and richness, the 2017 ‘Ballard Vineyard’ will have a long life in the cellar. Be sure to give this a two hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2022-2040- 94
2017 DuMOL ‘Meteor Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Coombsville AVA in the Napa Valley, the 2017 ‘Meteor Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a simply stunning new bottling from this storied site in the Napa Valley. The nose is classic Napa with its creme de cassis, red bell pepper, cigar box and boysenberry cordial tones that combine in the glass. The heady aromatics bring you back to the glass for more delight. Viscous and rich, showing an err of decadence, the wine seamlessly glides across the mid-palate. Mocha, asphalt and creme de cassis flavors meld with the blueberry compote and silty earth tones on the palate. The long finish lingers. A true heavyhitter, the 2017 ‘Meteor Vineyard’ will be singing for decades to come. Drink 2022-2040- 95