DuMOL 2023 Ryan Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley 97 Points

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: “Coming from all Goldridge soils, the Dumol 2023 Pinot Noir Ryan is from Martini and Calera selections and incorporates 20% whole clusters. Its herbaceous character leans toward a slightly more rustic edge, the nose opening to notes of ripe cherries, mossy earth, and crushed flowers. Medium to full-bodied, the palate takes on more concentration and has a lovely richness, ripe tannins, and classic Russian River character with a hint of warmth. Drink 2026-2040…”

James Suckling 97 Points: This is all destemmed but shows a stem and fresh herb character, with strawberries, blueberries, and briary bramble berries. It’s medium-bodied with a deepness of fruit and tight, compacted palate. Terrific structure. 50% Martini clone with the rest Calera and Swan. Needs two or three years to soften and open.”

Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Palate) 96 Points: “Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2023 Pinot Noir Ryan opens with evocative notes of wild blueberries, juicy blackberries, and forest floor, followed by hints of dusty soil and wild sage. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness and muscular blue and black fruit, finishing long and earthy.”

Winemaker Notes: “For long-term customers and me, our 2023 Ryan is a throwback to the early days of DuMOL. The wine has an old school Russian River Valley style that calls upon a lineage dating back to our first vintage of Ryan in 2002. Centered upon the old vines at Dutton-Widdoes Vineyard, it’s infused with wild berry sweetness, truffle-y complexity, satiny texture and supple tannins that seem to wrap you up. That’s old school, classic DuMOL. It has greater volume and opulence but lower acidity than our coastal wines, and its deep fruitiness ensures this wine will drink beautifully on release. Make no mistake, however: there’s complexity and buried potential underneath this comforting deliciousness, and the wine can age twelve years in the bottle without issue.
Aromas and flavors akin to cranberry and rhubarb quickly segue into tiny dark wild berries, kirsch liqueur, violet, anise, and sweet mint. The fruit is succulent, broad, and enveloping. The wine’s structure is supple and mellow and carries the wine to a rising finish of sweet truffle and black tea. Drink between 2025 and 2035. “