DuMOL 'Ryan' Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California 2023
Founded in 1996 and based in Windsor, DuMOL is among California's most acclaimed small-production wineries, devoted entirely to vineyard-expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Winemaker, viticulturist, and partner Andy Smith leads a small, experienced team dedicated to a portfolio of estate and grower-partner vineyards within a ten-mile radius. Born in Edinburgh and trained at Lincoln University in New Zealand, Smith refined his craft at Dry River, Littorai, and Paul Hobbs before taking the helm at DuMOL, where he has committed the winery to sustainably farming the land for the long term, with a philosophy that prioritizes the vineyard over the cellar. Named for one of the partners' family members, the 'Ryan' cuvée is DuMOL's signature Russian River Valley Pinot Noir — a blend anchored in old Dutton Ranch vines, designed for both early pleasure and extended cellaring.
- WINEMAKER: Andy Smith with Jenna Davis
- FARMING: Sustainable; Dutton Ranch vineyards are certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and endorsed by Fish Friendly Farming.
- VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir — Martini and Calera clones
- TERROIR: 54% Dutton-Widdoes Vineyard and 46% Dutton-Jentoft Vineyard, Russian River Valley, harvested October 2 and 5. Dutton-Widdoes is a benchmark old-vine site in the heart of the Russian River Valley, planted on well-draining Goldridge sandy loam — one of the most prized soil types in Sonoma County — draped in coastal fog each morning, allowing for long, slow ripening. Dutton-Jentoft is a steep hillside vineyard with shallow soils approximately two feet deep over sandstone bedrock, surrounded by dense vegetation, adding precision and coastal lift to the blend.
- VINIFICATION: Night-harvested to preserve fruit integrity. Fermented parcel by parcel with minimal intervention; DuMOL employs a light-extraction, vintage-specific approach that allows each site to express itself without winemaking imposition.
- AGING: Aged 15 months in 34% new French oak barrels from Tonnellerie Remond. 1,225 cases of 750mL produced.
- TASTING NOTES: Wild berry sweetness, truffle-y complexity, satiny texture, and supple tannins give the wine an opulent, enveloping character. Cranberry and rhubarb lead into dark wild berries, kirsch, violet, anise, and sweet mint, with a rising finish of sweet truffle and black tea. Drink 2025–2035.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Roasted duck breast, mushroom tart, braised short rib, aged Gruyère.
- SCORES: 96 pts James Suckling
DuMOL 'Ryan' Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California 2023
Founded in 1996 and based in Windsor, DuMOL is among California's most acclaimed small-production wineries, devoted entirely to vineyard-expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Winemaker, viticulturist, and partner Andy Smith leads a small, experienced team dedicated to a portfolio of estate and grower-partner vineyards within a ten-mile radius. Born in Edinburgh and trained at Lincoln University in New Zealand, Smith refined his craft at Dry River, Littorai, and Paul Hobbs before taking the helm at DuMOL, where he has committed the winery to sustainably farming the land for the long term, with a philosophy that prioritizes the vineyard over the cellar. Named for one of the partners' family members, the 'Ryan' cuvée is DuMOL's signature Russian River Valley Pinot Noir — a blend anchored in old Dutton Ranch vines, designed for both early pleasure and extended cellaring.
- WINEMAKER: Andy Smith with Jenna Davis
- FARMING: Sustainable; Dutton Ranch vineyards are certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and endorsed by Fish Friendly Farming.
- VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir — Martini and Calera clones
- TERROIR: 54% Dutton-Widdoes Vineyard and 46% Dutton-Jentoft Vineyard, Russian River Valley, harvested October 2 and 5. Dutton-Widdoes is a benchmark old-vine site in the heart of the Russian River Valley, planted on well-draining Goldridge sandy loam — one of the most prized soil types in Sonoma County — draped in coastal fog each morning, allowing for long, slow ripening. Dutton-Jentoft is a steep hillside vineyard with shallow soils approximately two feet deep over sandstone bedrock, surrounded by dense vegetation, adding precision and coastal lift to the blend.
- VINIFICATION: Night-harvested to preserve fruit integrity. Fermented parcel by parcel with minimal intervention; DuMOL employs a light-extraction, vintage-specific approach that allows each site to express itself without winemaking imposition.
- AGING: Aged 15 months in 34% new French oak barrels from Tonnellerie Remond. 1,225 cases of 750mL produced.
- TASTING NOTES: Wild berry sweetness, truffle-y complexity, satiny texture, and supple tannins give the wine an opulent, enveloping character. Cranberry and rhubarb lead into dark wild berries, kirsch, violet, anise, and sweet mint, with a rising finish of sweet truffle and black tea. Drink 2025–2035.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Roasted duck breast, mushroom tart, braised short rib, aged Gruyère.
- SCORES: 96 pts James Suckling