DuMOL MacIntyre Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
(Sonoma Coast, California) - [JS 97] [TWI 96] [JD 95] [WA 94+] [VM 92] [WS 92]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1996, DuMOL is a vineyard focused producer of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from distinctive vineyards in the extreme southwestern part of the Russian River Valley. They also grow and craft small-lot Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Viognier from exceptional vineyard sites in Sonoma and Napa, expanding upon twenty-five years of winegrowing experience. DuMOL's 25 acre sustainably farmed Estate Vineyard is located on an undulating east-facing slope of one of the appellation's famous ridgelines. From this classic site and in tandem with some of the coastal area's finest growers, DuMOL crafts wines that fully capture the aromatics, flavors and textures that exemplify their vineyard sites and varietals character in the purest and most precise form.

Notes from the Winemaker:
How does one replicate the incredible quality of 2021? That’s a tough ask! It was selected, after all, as “Wine of the Year” by the world’s most prominent wine critic. The natural answer is to farm the vines at the highest possible, most precise level as the new vine growing season progresses. There’s no recipe here, the grapes vary in style each vintage, just as they should. And so, the fruit is leaner than 2021, the volume a little toned down, the structure less dominant. What we have instead is precision, focus, drive and purity of sandy soil, cool climate Pinot character. There’s a strong sense of tiny grape-berry intensity in this wine. It energizes the palate and fills the mouth with density but remains a middleweight – lithe, tangy, and uniquely coastal in expression – you can’t find this wine style anywhere outside a 12 mile stretch inland of the Pacific Ocean in western Sonoma County. 

Great soaring aromatic intensity: tiny red and black tightly wound fruits, minerals, cassis and red apple skin then savory umami characters akin to kelp, iodine, and herbal pine notes. Wild berry fruit drives the tangy palate. There's a lovely herbal, woodsy edge emanating from the vines themselves. As the wine expands, there’s a deep concentrated fruit pastille impression, before driving acidity extends the wine’s lilting echoing finish. Drink between late-2024 and 2030. 

Barrel Aging

Aged 11 months in 33% new French oak barrels from Atelier Centre France

Production

748 cases of 750mL

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - James Suckling:
"So much iodine and seaweed character on the nose with plum and dried cherry undertones. Medium-bodied with very tightly grained tannins that give this density and composure. It’s compacted and chewy. You feel the sea in this. Unique. Give it two or three years to open and present its lovely self. Drink after 2026." (June 2024)

96 Points - The Wine Independent: 
"The 2022 Pinot Noir MacIntyre Estate Vineyard, all from the Calera selection clone, is medium ruby-purple in color. It opens with an intense perfume of rose oil, wild blueberries, and pomegranate plus hints of spearmint, forest floor, and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate has a real skip in its step, with bright red and blue berry flavors, a racy backbone, and fine-grained tannins, finishing long and fragrant." - LPB (Jun 2024)

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The MacIntyre Estate Vineyard was planted in 2016 from Calera clone only, on very sandy soil, and the tight compact berries ripen at low sugar levels. The 2022 Pinot Noir MacIntyre Estate Vineyard is a bright ruby color and offers notes of fresh fruit, savory sea spray, tea leaf, and bright redcurrants. It’s medium-bodied, with fine but present tannins and shares a lot of similarities with the 2014, with a balanced spine of acidity to tie it all together. Drink it over the next 10-15 years." - Audrey Frick (Jun 2024)

94+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2022 Pinot Noir MacIntyre Estate Vineyard was harvested on August 24 before the Labor Day heat wave. It has intoxicating aromas of pomegranate, rhubarb, hibiscus tea and iodine. The light-bodied palate is expressive and pure with a finely astringent texture, mouthwatering acidity and a long, latent finish. It will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle. 748 cases were made." - Erin Brooks (Jul 2024)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Pinot Noir MacIntyre Estate is a very pretty wine in this vintage. Floral and light on its feet, the 2022 is a delight. Crushed red berry fruit, orange peel, spice and mint are nicely delineated in a mid-weight, slender Pinot that offers commendable finesse." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2024)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A racy, fresh style, with hibiscus and iris notes leading the way for bitter plum and cherry puree flavors. Shows a twinge of minerality on the finish as this stretches out, showing nice focus. Drink now through 2030. 748 cases made." - JM (Jun 2024)