For us, DuMol sets the benchmark for Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Year after year, winemaker Andy Smith makes seamless, wonderfully textured, and downright delicious Pinot Noirs from this iconic region, and they always seem to be one of the best Pinots we taste all year! Yields are small, which means production is small, but that also means better wine. This year's bottling is comprised of fruit from Flax, Dr. Galante, Dutton-Jentoft, and Occidental Road vineyards.
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "The 2024 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is a youthful rub -red hue and is more red-fruited, minty, and floral in profile, with the highest percentage of estate fruit to date. Medium-bodied, with spicy pomegranate fruit, refreshing acidity, and excellent structure, drink 2026-2038."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 94 POINTS - "The 2024 Pinot Noir Wester Reach comes from several vineyards, including Flax, Dr. Galante Estate, Jentoft and Occidental Road (59% estate fruit and 41% grower fruit). It was fermented with around 25% whole clusters and matured for 11 months in 25% new French oak, plus three months in stainless steel. Proprietor Andy Smith says this is “the house style, the appellation wine. This is the most important wine we make because it’s everywhere around the world. This is the wine I work hardest on throughout the year. We should judge producers on their largest production wine, not just the sexy two-barrel cuvée.” The 2024 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is bursting with scents of raspberry, cranberry, orange peel, black tea leaves and bitters. Medium-bodied, it floods the senses with layers of spicy, floral fruit. It’s framed by refined, grainy tannins and succulent acidity and has a long, irresistible finish. 4,500 cases were made."
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "The 2024 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is a youthful rub -red hue and is more red-fruited, minty, and floral in profile, with the highest percentage of estate fruit to date. Medium-bodied, with spicy pomegranate fruit, refreshing acidity, and excellent structure, drink 2026-2038."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 94 POINTS - "The 2024 Pinot Noir Wester Reach comes from several vineyards, including Flax, Dr. Galante Estate, Jentoft and Occidental Road (59% estate fruit and 41% grower fruit). It was fermented with around 25% whole clusters and matured for 11 months in 25% new French oak, plus three months in stainless steel. Proprietor Andy Smith says this is “the house style, the appellation wine. This is the most important wine we make because it’s everywhere around the world. This is the wine I work hardest on throughout the year. We should judge producers on their largest production wine, not just the sexy two-barrel cuvée.” The 2024 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is bursting with scents of raspberry, cranberry, orange peel, black tea leaves and bitters. Medium-bodied, it floods the senses with layers of spicy, floral fruit. It’s framed by refined, grainy tannins and succulent acidity and has a long, irresistible finish. 4,500 cases were made."
