DuMOL Pinot Noir "Wester Reach" 2021
(Russian River Valley, California) - [OB 96] [JS 95] [WE 95] [VM 90-92]

Winemaker’s Notes

Our 2021 vintage of “Wester Reach” Pinot Noir is a multi-layered interpretation of this classic region where we live and farm. It includes some of the greatest sites in the appellation—vineyards that we have planted, farmed, and harvested for over twenty years. Comprising three of our region’s unique sub-districts, the wine blends fruit from the valley itself with vineyards further west, stretching out to the coolest ‘reaches’ of the appellation’s high elevation coastal ridges. Each district contributes something unique, be it valley-floor texture and volume, ridgeline fruit intensity or bright coastal acidity.

The wine’s broad base is centered upon our coastal DuMOL Estate with dark fruit intensity, savory spice, and bright vibrancy. At higher elevation on a ridgetop overlooking the Green Valley, Upp Road offers soaring red and black fruit characters of beautiful purity. On the deeper clays of the Santa Rosa Plains, Occidental Road provides broad fruit extract and textural richness. Flax Estate overlooking the river in the Middle Reach weaves in volume, structure, and density from hillside volcanic soils.

Classic coastal Russian River aromas and flavors: crisp red apple skin, bright red cherry, deep wild berry, hibiscus, pepper, fresh mint, and a complex woodsy note. There’s wonderful purity and succulence to the core of red and black fruits which are supported by balanced black tea tannins and bright vibrant acidity. The wine finishes sleek and focused with liveliness and lingering aromatic lift. Drink between 2023 and 2029.

Technical Data

Vineyards 38% DuMOL Estate, 24% Occidental Road, 20% Upp Road & 18% Flax Estate

Clones CALERA, SWAN, POMMARD & DIJON

Age of Vines at Harvest 16 YEARS

Barrel Aging AGED 15 MONTHS IN 30% NEW FRENCH OAK BARRELS FROM TONNELLERIES ERMITAGE & REMOND

Production 3000 CASES OF 750ML

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Owen Bargreen:
"The 2021 ‘Wester Reach’ is sourced from three subdistricts located in the Russian River Valley. The nose is beautifully perfumed with red rose petals, black raspberry and shades of freshly tilled salty soils. The palate is dense and refined with silky tannins that combine with a brilliant core of red and dark fruits, with cola and stony undercurrents. A complete wine, the 2021 ‘Wester Reach’ is shining brightly now and will continue to impress for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2023-2040."

95 Points - James Suckling:
"A wine with a lot of back end, with dark fruits of blackberry and cherry. Ripe strawberry. Hints of toasted oak and smoke. It’s full and layered with very firm and polished tannins. Very serious and real, and shows the structure of the vintage. Some chocolate. Strawberry pie, too. Drinkable but two to three years of age will help it." (4/4/23)

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
Vivid, brilliant, focused fruit avors light up this lively, almost-electric wine while racy acidity and lightly gripping tannins give a mouthwatering texture that won’t quit. While totally delicious and appetizing now, the wine is certainly built to age well. Best 2025–2032. - J.G. (Aug 2023)

90-92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is fabulous. Bright and explosive, the Wester Reach is a fabulous introduction to the vintage at DuMOL. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and kirsch are all pushed forward. This vibrant Russian River Pinot Noir is a total knock out." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2023)