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Just Arrived - Our Tiny Allocation of "Breathtaking" 2021s
from Cult Russian River Royalty DuMOL
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Two DuMOL Pinot Noirs Available:
2021 DuMOL "Ryan" Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
- Ratings: WA 97, TWI 96, WE 96, JS 95, VM 93-95
- "It has a silky texture, energetic acidity and a long, layered finish. This is so delicious and very easy to drink!" -Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 Points
2021 DuMOL "Wester Reach" Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
- Ratings: OB 96, WE 95, JS 95
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"The palate is dense and refined with silky tannins that combine with a brilliant core of red and dark fruits, with cola and stony undercurrents. A complete wine, the 2021 ‘Wester Reach’ is shining brightly now and will continue to impress for at least another fifteen years." -Owen Bargreen, 96 Points
Three DuMOL Chardonnays Available:
2021 DuMOL 'Isobel' Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
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Ratings: WA 98+, TWI 98, JS 97, JD 96, VM 95-97
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"Satiny and seamless, it has a tremendously long finish with mind-altering depth of flavor. Fans of Burgundy will love it for its flinty tones, and fans of California for its concentration and power." -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent, 98 Points
2021 DuMOL 'Chloe' Chardonnay Russian River Valley
- Ratings: JD 96, WE 95, WA 94, TWI 94, JS 94, VM 93-95
- "...highly expressive, with a golden perfume of pineapple, orange oil, and a bit of honeysuckle. It has full body and a rounded texture, with ripe apricot, hazelnut, and white flowers. A lusher personality to drink over the next ten years..." -Jeb Dunnuck, 96 Points
2021 DuMOL 'Wester Reach' Chardonnay Russian River Valley
- Ratings: OB 96, WE 95, JS 94
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"Right away you are allured by toasted pineapple and mango notes on the nose alongside shades of shortbread, flint and hazelnuts. The palate is soft and refined with a soft mouthfeel and beautiful sense of verve. Concentrated and showing incredible flavor range, the 2021 ‘Wester Ranch’ will live on for at least another ten plus years." -Owen Bargreen, 96 Points
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About DuMOL's Winemaker - Andy Smith:
- Previously with Gemstone, Littorai, Paul Hobbs and Larkmead
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“Wine Personality of the Year” by Wine Advocate in 2005
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“World’s Most Influential Wine Consultants” in 2008 & “World’s Grape Gurus” in 2013 both by Food & Wine magazine
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Happy New Year dear Friends!
We just received a mere couple of cases this week of the newest DuMOL releases: the most elite Sonoma stalwart we've ever had the privilege to earn allocations of. It only took about a decade...and just in time for this outstanding praise from Vinous Media's Antonio Galloni:
Winemaker/Co-owner Andy Smith and Associate Winemaker Jenna Davis presented a breathtaking range of 2021s. I was blown away by the wines I tasted from DuMOL this year. Two thousand twenty-one is one of the greatest vintages I have tasted here. That is evident from the very first wines in this lineup. Despite drought conditions, the wines retain terrific acidity and tons of nuance. Interestingly, Smith reported that wines extracted easily in 2021. The Chardonnays are incredibly pure and brilliant. It's much the same in the Pinots, a stunning collection of wines that reaches its apogee with the Pinot Noir MacIntyre, one of the greatest California Pinots I have ever tasted. The theme of delineation and vibrancy continues through to the Syrahs and Cabernets. Most of the 2021s were in tank, hence scores are in parentheses. This is a very special set of wines that readers will not want to miss.
More About DuMOL:
Founded in 1996, DuMOL is a vineyard focused producer of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from distinctive vineyards in the extreme southwestern part of the Russian River Valley. They also grow and craft small-lot Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Viognier from exceptional vineyard sites in Sonoma and Napa, expanding upon twenty-five years of winegrowing experience. DuMOL's 25 acre sustainably farmed Estate Vineyard is located on an undulating east-facing slope of one of the appellation's famous ridgelines. From this classic site and in tandem with some of the coastal area's finest growers, DuMOL crafts wines that fully capture the aromatics, flavors and textures that exemplify their vineyard sites and varietals character in the purest and most precise form.
We have to reiterate that DuMOL's wines are normally available ONLY through limited allocation offers to their mailing list, and a few select restaurants worldwide. They could go back to being this exclusive for the next vintage - there's no way to know. So order now and don't miss out!
Cheers,
—James Tran
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2021 DuMOL "Isobel" Charles Heitz Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
98+ Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"The 2021 Chardonnay Isobel Charles Heintz Vineyard is the 20th bottling of a Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay at DuMOL. "There are very few better vintages of this," winemaker Andy Smith exclaims during our tasting, and I have to agree. It's bursting with scents of matchstick, chamomile, Greek yogurt and white peach, and over time, it unfurls unique spicy, herbal undertones. The palate is intensely concentrated, boasting expansive, dynamic flavors that segue from stone fruit to honey. Satiny and seamless, it has a tremendously long finish with mind-altering depth of flavor. Fans of Burgundy will love it for its flinty tones, and fans of California for its concentration and power."
98 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The 2021 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard Isobel is aged in 350-500 liter low-toast barrels, 25% of them new. After a swirl or two, notes of fresh nectarines, mandarin peel, and grapefruit emerge, leading to touches of honeysuckle, marzipan, and baking bread. The medium-bodied palate delivers electric-charged stone fruit and citrus flavors with a racy backbone and satiny texture, finishing long and zesty. The vineyard was planted in 1982, and this is DuMOL's 20th vintage from here: "This is possibly the finest vintage we've made from here," said winemaker, Andy Smith. "We're the only winery that gets grapes from both blocks/soil types (clay & sand)."
97 Points - James Suckling
96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
95-97 Points - Vinous
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Vineyards: 100% Charles Heitz
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Aging: Aged 11 months in 30% new French oak barrels
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Production: 1,050 cases of 750ml
- Only 18 bottles available
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2021 DuMOL "Chloe" Chardonnay Russian River Valley
96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Pouring a bright medium yellow/straw hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Chloe is highly expressive, with a golden perfume of pineapple, orange oil, and a bit of honeysuckle. It has full body and a rounded texture, with ripe apricot, hazelnut, and white flowers. A lusher personality to drink over the next ten years, it’s a bit more open at this youthful stage." (Jul 2023)
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Balanced to a T, this fascinating wine matches ripe and rich poached pear and golden apple flavors with a vein of lemony acidity that keeps it refreshing sip after sip. It's medium to full in body. Best through 2030."
94 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"The 2021 Chardonnay Chloe is scented of white peach, jasmine, meringue and toasted almonds with flinty streaks. The light-bodied palate has a gently grippy texture and refreshing acidity to balance its concentrated core of spicy stone fruit, and it has a long finish full of ripe fruit." - Erin Brooks (Jun 2023)
94 Points - The Wine Independent
94 Points - James Suckling
93-95 Points - Vinous
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Clones: MONTRACHET AND HYDE-WENTE
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Vineyards: 40% Flora Marie, 30% El Diablo, 30% Bressay Estate
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Aging: Aged 11 months in 35% new French oak barrels
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Production: 1,230 cases of 750ml
- Only 30 bottles available
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2021 DuMOL "Wester Reach" Chardonnay Russian River Valley
96 Points - Owen Bargreen:
"The 2021 ‘Wester Reach’ Chardonnay is mainly sourced from the Flax and Charles Heintz Vineyards, as this was stored in 30% new French oak for 11 months before bottling. Right away you are allured by toasted pineapple and mango notes on the nose alongside shades of shortbread, flint and hazelnuts. The palate is soft and refined with a soft mouthfeel and beautiful sense of verve. Concentrated and showing incredible flavor range, the 2021 ‘Wester Ranch’ will live on for at least another ten plus years. Drink 2023-2035."
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
Elegant, silky and well-balanced, this medium-bodied wine backs bright citrus and baked apple flavors with good acidity for a tangy touch that counters the generous fruit components.
94 Points - James Suckling
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Aging: Aged 11 months in 30% new French oak barrels
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Production: 3500 cases of 750ml
- Only 30 bottles available
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2021 DuMOL "Ryan" Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
97 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Ryan has a medium ruby color and autumnal scents of truffle and forest floor, cinnamon and Earl Grey tea leaves complementing a core of wild berry fruit. (In 2021, the wine comes from the Dutton-Jentoft and Widdoes vineyards rather than 100% from Jentoft as in previous vintages.) The medium-bodied palate is supple and detailed with a concentrated core of mineral-driven fruit. It has a silky texture, energetic acidity and a long, layered finish. This is so delicious and very easy to drink!" - Erin Brooks (Jun 2023)
96 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Ryan is a blend of two Dutton Ranch Vineyards, 56% Widdoes and 44% Jentoft. No whole-cluster fermentation was used. Medium ruby-purple in color, it pops from the glass with evocative, classic scents of black cherries, boysenberries, and pomegranate with suggestions of red roses, forest floor, and cinnamon toast. The medium-bodied palate is seductively plush and juicy, laden with expressive red and black berry layers, finishing long and pure." - LPB (Jul 2023)
96 Points - Wine Enthusiast
95 Points - James Suckling
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Vineyards: 56% Widdoes, 44% Jentoft
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Clones: Martini, Swan & Calera
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Aging: Aged 15 months in 30% new French oak barrels
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Production: 1,175 cases of 750ml
- Only 18 bottles available
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2021 DuMOL "Wester Reach" Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
96 Points - Owen Bargreen:
"The 2021 ‘Wester Reach’ is sourced from three subdistricts located in the Russian River Valley. The nose is beautifully perfumed with red rose petals, black raspberry and shades of freshly tilled salty soils. The palate is dense and refined with silky tannins that combine with a brilliant core of red and dark fruits, with cola and stony undercurrents. A complete wine, the 2021 ‘Wester Reach’ is shining brightly now and will continue to impress for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2023-2040."
95 Points - James Suckling:
"A wine with a lot of back end, with dark fruits of blackberry and cherry. Ripe strawberry. Hints of toasted oak and smoke. It’s full and layered with very firm and polished tannins. Very serious and real, and shows the structure of the vintage. Some chocolate. Strawberry pie, too. Drinkable but two to three years of age will help it." (4/4/23)
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
Vivid, brilliant, focused fruit avors light up this lively, almost-electric wine while racy acidity and lightly gripping tannins give a mouthwatering texture that won’t quit. While totally delicious and appetizing now, the wine is certainly built to age well. Best 2025–2032. —J.G. Aug 2023
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Vineyards: 38% DuMOL Estate, 24% Occidental Road, 20% Upp Road & 18% Flax Estate
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Aging: Aged 15 months in 30% new French oak barrels
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Production: 3,000 cases of 750ml
- Only 30 bottles available
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