“One of the highlights in this range, the 2018 Pinot Noir Coastlands Vineyard dazzles from the very first taste. In the glass, the 2018 is deep, inky and yet also light on its feet. Sweet red fruit, red plum, mint, spice, licorice infuse the Coastlands with tremendous intensity, and yet the 2018 remains light on its feet, in the way the best Pinots from this site magically can. This is a fabulous showing and a textbook example of what Coastlands is all about. Readers who can find it should absolutely not hesitate. Drinking window: 2020-2033. 96 points
California is a hotbed of talent these days. Even so, I can’t think of too many producers who excel with so many different varieties and wines as Duncan Arnot and Nathan Roberts do. This range is full of highlights. The reds are especially strong this year, led by the stunning Coastlands Pinot, three rock-star Syrahs and a trio of 2017 Cabernets that capture all the best that challenging year had to offer. As always, the wines are built on energy and vibrancy, with a good bit of whole cluster influence in the Pinots and Syrahs.”
“The 2016 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard is rich and creamy, with a hint of reduction that adds an intriguing upper register of freshness. Orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and chalk are nicely woven throughout. The Estate is a wonderfully complete Chardonnay from DuMol that will drink well for many years to come. Drinking window: 2019-2026. 95 points
Andy Smith and his team turned out a brilliant set of wines in 2017. The harvest was especially condensed, with most days seeing heavy picks of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay pretty much concurrently. Smith told me the DuMOL parcels were affected by a high incidence of shot berries, which naturally lowered yields. Small berries, often with no seeds, further resulted in a collection of dense wines. Smith told me low alcohol conversions resulted in wines with a bit lower alcohol than is typical. That is fascinating, as the wines are quite rich in feel. The bottled 2016s are just as compelling from bottle as they were last year from barrel.”
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard is an absolutely stellar wine. Dark and also quite savory in the glass, the 2016 presents a super-intriguing range of aromas, flavors and textures. The Estate has a Syrah-like feeling of density and darkness that is incredibly appealing. Huge tannins need time to soften. Readers who can wait will be rewarded with a magnificent Pinot Noir. Drinking window: 2021-2031. 96 points
Andy Smith and his team turned out a brilliant set of wines in 2017. The harvest was especially condensed, with most days seeing heavy picks of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay pretty much concurrently. Smith told me the DuMOL parcels were affected by a high incidence of shot berries, which naturally lowered yields. Small berries, often with no seeds, further resulted in a collection of dense wines. Smith told me low alcohol conversions resulted in wines with a bit lower alcohol than is typical. That is fascinating, as the wines are quite rich in feel. The bottled 2016s are just as compelling from bottle as they were last year from barrel.”
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Finn is dense, pliant and super-expressive, with superb depth and all of the textural resonance that makes Russian River Pinot so undeniably alluring. Bright red cherry, plum, dried rose petal and spice all develop with time in the glass. The 2016 is even more impressive from bottle than it was from barrel. Best of all, it will drink well with minimal cellaring. Drinking window: 2021-2031. 94 points
Andy Smith and his team turned out a brilliant set of wines in 2017. The harvest was especially condensed, with most days seeing heavy picks of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay pretty much concurrently. Smith told me the DuMOL parcels were affected by a high incidence of shot berries, which naturally lowered yields. Small berries, often with no seeds, further resulted in a collection of dense wines. Smith told me low alcohol conversions resulted in wines with a bit lower alcohol than is typical. That is fascinating, as the wines are quite rich in feel. The bottled 2016s are just as compelling from bottle as they were last year from barrel.”
“The 2017 Chardonnay Highland Divide is a sort of super-appellation wine made from a blend of fruit from the estate and Morelli that offers quite a bit of exuberance in both its flavors and textures. Orange peel, honeysuckle, wild flowers and tropical accents all grace this wonderfully inviting Chardonnay from DuMol. I loved it. Drinking window: 2020-2027. 93 points
“The 2017 Pinot Noir Highland Divide is rich and boisterous in the glass. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, hard candy, cola and spice are amped up in a Pinot that captures all of the natural exuberance of the Russian River. Readers will find an especially bold, juicy style. Drinking window: 2020-2029. 93 points
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard captures all the personality of this site. Inky red/purplish berry fruit, grilled herbs, black pepper and licorice give the 2016 its distinct pungent character. The tannins are powerful, but all the elements are impeccably balanced. In 2016, Andy Smith crafted a Cabernet that is both potent and also very elegant. Drinking window: 2022-2036. 95 points
Andy Smith and his team turned out a brilliant set of wines in 2017. The harvest was especially condensed, with most days seeing heavy picks of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay pretty much concurrently. Smith told me the DuMOL parcels were affected by a high incidence of shot berries, which naturally lowered yields. Small berries, often with no seeds, further resulted in a collection of dense wines. Smith told me low alcohol conversions resulted in wines with a bit lower alcohol than is typical. That is fascinating, as the wines are quite rich in feel. The bottled 2016s are just as compelling from bottle as they were last year from barrel.”
“The 2017 Chardonnay Chloe Ritchie Vineyard is beautifully floral and perfumed, with soaring aromatics and racy, layered fruit. There is plenty of depth, but in this range, the Ritchie stands out for its lifted, gracious feel and exceptional balance. Drinking window: 2020-2027. 95 points
“The 2013 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is a wonderful introduction to the vintage. Plump, juicy and forward, but with good underlying energy, the 2013 is impeccably balanced from start to finish. Dark red cherry, blueberry, spice, new leather and menthol are pushed forward in an impeccable appellation-level wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Drinking window: 2016-2023. 91 points
This is a strong set of new releases from DuMOL. Winemaker Andy Smith has really dialed in his approach here over the last few years, and it shows. Harvest dates have been moved up, while in general Smith is seeking a bit more freshness in his wines than was the case a few years ago. That is especially true of the Chardonnays, which now also spend eleven months in barrel followed by six months in tank, a fairly classic aging regime today in Burgundy that is less common in California. Smith has also introduced two new Cabernets, with more to follow. As readers probably know, Smith made the wines at Larkmead for years, so Cabernet is intimately familiar. The first wines are quite impressive.”
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Ryan Widdoes Vineyard is one of the most distinctive wines in this lineup. Soaring, perfumed aromatics and bright, red-toned fruit give the Widdoes much of its multi-faceted profile. Red berry fruit, blood orange, mint and floral overtones build as this striking, deeply expressive Pinot shows off its unmistakable pedigree and pure class. Drinking window: 2021-2031. 95 points
Andy Smith and his team turned out a brilliant set of wines in 2017. The harvest was especially condensed, with most days seeing heavy picks of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay pretty much concurrently. Smith told me the DuMOL parcels were affected by a high incidence of shot berries, which naturally lowered yields. Small berries, often with no seeds, further resulted in a collection of dense wines. Smith told me low alcohol conversions resulted in wines with a bit lower alcohol than is typical. That is fascinating, as the wines are quite rich in feel. The bottled 2016s are just as compelling from bottle as they were last year from barrel.”
“The 2019 Chardonnay Thieriot Vineyard stands apart from the other Chardonnays in this range for its bright, crystalline personality. Crushed rocks, white pepper, slate, pear and lemon peel all grace this absolutely exquisite Chardonnay from Littorai. There is a feeling of transparency here that is so utterly beguiling. Drinking window: 2022-2031. 96 points
Ted Lemon describes 2019 as year with a good deal of rain early on and average crop levels. Harvest began on September 3, moderately early, but more or less in line with historical norms, and wrapped up on October 8. I thought the Anderson Valley Pinots were especially fine this year, but all the Pinots are marked by energy and the purity of flavor that is such a house signature. A recent bottle of the 2017 Wendling Pinot Noir reminded me of how these wines really blossom with a bit of time in bottle. Lastly, the 2019 Chardonnays are also absolutely brilliant across the board, another reminder of just how strong the vintage has turned out to be for Chardonnay.”
“The 2019 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard shows the textural pliancy typical of this site, while also retaining terrific freshness and verve, with fewer of the tropical overtones that are often found in Heintz Chardonnays. All the elements are so impeccably balanced. Drinking window: 2021-2029. 94 points
Ted Lemon describes 2019 as year with a good deal of rain early on and average crop levels. Harvest began on September 3, moderately early, but more or less in line with historical norms, and wrapped up on October 8. I thought the Anderson Valley Pinots were especially fine this year, but all the Pinots are marked by energy and the purity of flavor that is such a house signature. A recent bottle of the 2017 Wendling Pinot Noir reminded me of how these wines really blossom with a bit of time in bottle. Lastly, the 2019 Chardonnays are also absolutely brilliant across the board, another reminder of just how strong the vintage has turned out to be for Chardonnay.”
