During harvest 2021 we share one of the world-class producers of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet in California. I have been consistently blown away with the consistency of these wines. 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 stunning across the board. I loved the 2019 DuMOL ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is fresh, vibrant and silky throughout the drinking experience. Even better is the 2019 DuMol ‘Finn’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which is one of the great Pinot Noir wines from California that I have tasted this year. This wine has some massive cellaring potential. Learn more about these stunning new wines at https://www.dumol.com Here are the great new releases by DuMOL.
2019 DuMol ‘DuMol Estate Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Set in the Sonoma Coast AVA, the ‘DuMol Estate Vineyard’ Chardonnay is planted to Hyde, Wente and Mount Eden clonal selections from this site roughly ten miles from the Pacific Ocean. Considerably more expressive at a warmer temperature, cloves, salted pear, kumquat rind and brioche tones all fill the nose. The palate is silky and seamless with layers of salty earth, Japanese pear, starfruit and baking spices. Complex and beautifully textured, with good length, this has another ten to fifteen years of life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2033- 94
2019 DuMol ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay- One of the outstanding sites in the Carneros AVA, the famed ‘Hyde Vineyard’ has a massive maritime influence and planted to old Wente clonal selections, this 2019 edition benefits from about an hour air. Once aroused this evokes honeydew melon, lemon zest dusted Challah bread and shades of nectarine with baking spices. The palate is soft and seamless, as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. Wait for the exceedingly long finish. Drink 2021-2033- 95
2019 DuMol ‘Chloe’ Chardonnay- The 2019 ‘Chloe’ is sourced from the famed ‘Ritchie Vineyard’ which is an older site in the Russian River Valley with vines over 45 years of age.The wine is impeccably textured with a soft mouthfeel. Full-bodied orchard fruits combine with salted and nutmeg infused French bread with roasted pineapple giving this an exotic edge. The wonderful length adds to the enjoyment, as this glorious wine has at least another ten years to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2033- 95
2019 DuMol ‘Finn’ Pinot Noir- The latest 2019 edition of ‘Finn’ is mainly sourced from the DuMol O’Connell Estate Vineyard which is set on marine sandstone and silty clay loam. One whiff and you are greeted to seriously good aromatic range from orange peel and bergamot notes alongside a great core of red and dark fruits with cola accents. The palate is lush, round and generous, with a seamless sense of texture. Copious cranberry, pomegranate seed, orange zest, cola and baking spices with sandalwood accents all greet you alongside very light tannins and an opulent mouthfeel. This is quite simply one of the great, well-rounded Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs that I have tasted over the past year. Drink 2021-2038- 96
2019 DuMol ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from the ‘DuMol Coffee Lane Vineyard’ this Pinot Noir combines clonal selections Calera, Swan and 943, as this saw 45% new French oak for fifteen months prior to bottling. Cherry cola, sassafras, wild mushroom and pine needles greet you on the nose. The palate is seamless and soft, with a generous mouthfeel. Layers of very pretty red and dark fruits brilliantly combine with the great veil of viscosity and tension, with salty undertones. Drink 2021-2036- 94
2019 DuMol ‘Jentoft Vineyard Ryan’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Ryan’ Pinot Noir was sourced from the ‘Jentoft Vineyard’ is set on a steep hillside with a strong coastal influence. This beautiful new Pinot Noir was aged for fifteen months in 45% new French oak before bottling. Exotic spices and red currants fill the nose, leading to loamy tilled soils and blood orange zest undertones. The palate has a silky texture with plenty of viscosity and great finesse. Highly gratifying to savor now, this has another fifteen years of life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2036- 95
2019 DuMol ‘Eddie’s Patch’ Syrah- The inky and brooding 2019 ‘Eddie’s Patch’ will give any other Sonoma Syrah a run for its money. Sourced from the ‘Hoppe-Kelley Vineyard’ in the Russian River Valley, the Syrah utilizes Alban and Syrah Noir clonal selections, as vines are fifteen years of age. Once on the nose this takes on black tea, blackberry compote, tar and anise tones aromatically, with toasty oak and shades of beef drippings. The palate is intense and highly savory with black olive tapenade, smoked brisket, Black Forest Cake and a light dusting of white pepper, with salty undertones. Complex and literally a full meal in a glass, this decadent yet well-balanced Syrah will cellar well over the next fifteen years — but it is nearly impossible to resist right now. Drink 2021-2038- 96
