DuMOL Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2023

DuMOL make some of the best and most sought-after Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley and California. Limited. 98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming from the vineyards above Bressay, the ruby-hued 2023 Pinot Noir Dumol Estate Vineyard is based on a blend of Calera and Swan clones. It reveals aromas of ripe red cherries, cinnamon, raspberries, orange peel, and wildflowers. The palate has tremendous tension and more wound-up nervous energy, with fantastic linear drive. It’s a spectacular wine that will only improve with another several years in bottle. Drink 2027-2050... ...Late last year, Andy Smith handed over the winemaking portion of his title to Jenna Davis. Jenna has been with the winery for over ten years, joining as a harvest intern in 2014 and working up to assistant winemaker. Andy retains his roles as partner and winegrower at DuMOL but was ready to pass the torch to the next generation in the winery’s legacy. The 2023s for this report were tasted in Sonoma with Andy and Jenna, as they have been for all three years of my coverage. Earning top marks for what this vintage has to offer, across the range the wines capture freshness and retain the focused concentration that gives them serious potential for longevity." Winemaker Notes: In the finest Pinot vintage in our 25-year history, this is the greatest expression yet of our high-density Estate Vineyard. I feel like this is the wine these vines have been patiently waiting to produce since planting. What sets this vintage apart from its excellent predecessors is a purity of fruit, unparalleled in intensity, verve and detail. It’s fruitier than previous vintages, with more mineral and less herbal nuances, as we altered our leaf canopy management in 2018, allowing the shoots to grow longer prior to summer trimming. This revised method slowed vegetative growth, restricting the vines’ energy and, ultimately, elevating the fruit quality. The result is a wine of authority and presence that is clearly just beginning its journey. 

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