2023 DuMOL Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Sonoma

The 2023 Pinot Noir DuMOL Estate Vineyard is a real head-turner, just as it was in barrel. Dark, sumptuous fruit, leather, incense, tobacco, dried herbs and graphite open first, buffered by brisk acids and beams of tannin that shape the mid-palate and finish. Deceptively medium in body, the 2023 packs a very serious punch. I would be in no rush to drink this. The Estate consists of Calera and Swan clones from high-density vineyards and was made with fully destemmed fruit. Drink 2028-2040.

98+ points Antonio Galloni, Vinous January 2026

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.

98+ points Jeb Dunnuck, February 2025

The 2023 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard comes from Calera and Swan vines planted in 2005. Grapes were harvested on September 14 and 22, and the wine was matured for 15 months in 37% new French oak. "For me, this is the wine of the vintage,” chief winemaker and proprietor Andy Smith says. “I first made this wine in 2007, and for me, this is unquestionably the best wine we’ve ever made from this vineyard.” The estate Pinot Noir is impressively pure and intense, with dramatically unfurling scents of pomegranate, blueberry, iron, juniper, charcuterie and violet. The medium-bodied palate offers expansive, kaleidoscopic flavors. It’s framed by refined, silky tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, detailed finish. It should be long lived in the cellar. Drink 2025-2045.

97 points Erin Brooks, Robert Parker, September 2025

A generous, gorgeous, mouth-filling red that’s open and fruity in aromas and saturated with richness on the palate. Moderate tannins and good acidity buoy the raspberry, black cherry, clove, cedar and forest floor flavors. Made from very small berries from vines of the Calera and Swan clones. Drinkable now, but best from 2029.

96 points Jim Gordon, James Suckling, June 2025

The DuMOL estate grown Pinot Noir vines are now 20 years old and, in a vintage, as successful as 2023 they are starting to showcase the quality of the vineyard.

Dark, intense and pure with black fruits, hibiscus, dried herbs, cedar and Asian spices. Focused and linear, the wine becomes expansive and layered with time in glass. There's obvious, deep chewy fruit extract rising to a finish of black cherry and black currant fruit with prominent mineral acidity. The wine has a dense, tightly coiled power and while approachable now, it’s really tucked in for future development.

It’s a natural match for dishes like grilled quail, mushroom ragù, or herb-roasted pork loin in its youth, and will be an awesome wine to match with refined umami rich East Asian cooking after a few years in the bottle.