DuMOL Wester Reach Pinot Noir 2022
(Russian River Valley, California) - [JD 95] [JS 94] [WE 94] [WS 94] [WA 92] [TWI 90]

Notes from the Winery:
Our 2022 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 finest sites
in the appellation - vineyards that we have planted, farmed, and harvested for
over twenty years. Comprising four 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, Dutton Ranch offers soaring red and black
fruit characters of beautiful purity. On the deeper silty/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. Placida on the Laguna Ridge ripens late
with impressive texture and lingering mossy complexity.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Taking on a darker ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Wester Reach brings forward woodsy spice aromas, with notes of fresh cherries, pine, and peppery spices. Approachable on the palate, it offers ripe tannins, a supple texture, and a nice lift of freshness on the finish. It is a charmer for sure and is going to offer a wide drinking window over the coming 10-12 years. Bottled unfiltered, 4500 cases were produced." (Jun 2024)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Pure dried strawberry and cherry fruit with some orange peel. It’s full-bodied but there is tension and focus to this, with tannins that frame it and give energy and verve. Creamy and juicy. Drink now." (Jun 2024)

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"What will you love about this wine? Maybe it's the nose that screams with Bing cherry, black tea and cola aromas. Maybe it's the powerful palate brimming with flavors of macerated raspberry, rose petal and sarsaparilla. Or the rich, plush tannins balanced by laser-like tangerine acid, with a minute-long finish that evolves and swirls. Maybe it's all of the above." - Tom Capo (Oct 2024)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is succulent and almost bouncy in feel, with perky acidity driving the core of gently mulled cherry, raspberry and boysenberry fruit. Shows a dusting of red tea and sandalwood on the finish, where the structure holds sway at this early stage. Cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2025 through 2036. 4,450 cases made." - JM (Sep 2024)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Wester Reach comes from several vineyards including Dumol Estate, Occidental Road, Dutton Ranch, Flax Estate and Placida. Grapes were harvested on August 15 and later on September 8, after the Labor Day heat wave set in. "About 15% of this wine was picked after the heat," winegrower Andy Smith says candidly. "That's that flush of riper fruit." Fermented with about 15% whole clusters, it has soft scents of strawberries, raspberries, rose petals and bitters. The medium-bodied palate is immediately approachable with its plush, spicy layers, and it has a long, perfumed finish. 4,450 cases were made." - Erin Brooks (Jul 2024)

90 Points - Wine Independent:
"Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2022 Wester Reach Pinot Noir sings of wild strawberries, fresh red currants, and mint tea, leading to underlying hints of black pepper and moss covered tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is refreshing and silky, delivering delicate red berry flavors with a spicy lift on the finish." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Jun 2024)