The Wine Summit – Post Hotel, Lake Louise
Tasted Friday, May 30, 2008 by Hank Gillespie with 828 views
Tasting conducted by founder/proprietor Kerry Murphy, and Winemaker Andy Smith. Murphy’s founding partner, Michael Verlander, did not attend. Andy Smith has been making the DuMol wines for the past 10 years.
Kerry Murphy feels this has been a magical story – a lot of luck perhaps – but the wines have achieved strong acclaim since the winery founded 11 years ago.
This Sonoma based winery produces 9 wines from Russian River Valley, Green Valley and Carneros appellations – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Viognier. Much of the early vintages featured Dutton Family fruit, and this has expanded to now include cintracts with specific vineyard growers and the winery’s own estate holdings. Individual wines are named after family members or friends.
The objective of Andy Smith is balance, where he is seeking a combination of power and finesse in the wines.
We tasted four Chardonnays, two Pinot Noirs and two Syrahs.
The 2002 Chardonnays were both preferred to the 2005’s, but that may have something to do with the bottle age. Liked both of these 2002’s very much.
2005 DuMOL Chardonnay Chloe
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
From Kent Ritchie Vineyard – 33 year vines – Wente clone – 3 tons/acre yield – 2/3 malo fermentation. Aged in barrel sur lie – 60% new French oak.
Light yellow straw; aromas showing fresh tree blossoms, along with tree fruits; acids show well on the palate – lemony citrus; clean – pear and nectarine flavours; acidity shines; plenty of solid structure – some oak showing; it’s a young wine waiting on harmony of its elements; acidity carries through the finish, as does the persistent fruit. Would like to try this wine in a couple of years, but it appears to have the makings of an excellent wine.
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2002 DuMOL Chardonnay Chloe
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Also from Kent Ritchie Vineyard. A chance to see what a couple of years in bottle will add to this wine.
Slightly darker than the 2005 – yellow straw; softer nose – more ripe fruit; aromas of peach and some pineapple; softer on the palate – round and rich, with acidity not as pronounced; more flowing – has taken on more harmony; rich, full, deeper flavours – oak has blended in nicely; long attractive finish.
Went back to this later, and the aromas and flavours have taken on more intensity – focused and deep. A very attractive wine !
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2005 DuMOL Chardonnay Isobel
USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Sourced from the Charles Heintz Vineyard – vines aged 24 years – barrel aged sur lie for 16 months in 58% new French oak. Production – 734 cses.
Pale yellow – just a hint of green in the colour; some mineral on the nose – also a bit of pineapple, together with lemony citrus; a touch of hoey frames the fruit – full bodied – round fleshy fruit – mostly peach; carries through the finish, which tops out bone dry. This wine seems to change from being rich and powerful to more finesse as it finishes – more delicate features on the palate, likely brought about by the mineral and dry finish.
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2002 DuMOL Chardonnay Isobel
USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Similar approach to making this wine as the 2005.
Darker straw in colour; much more complex nose, with more of the mineral showing along with peach and pear fruit; clean – very good acidity; noted some mealy flavours initially; round and fleshy, but evolving character here; superb harmony; runs deep on the palate – ripe pear fruit comes through well in the flavours; cozy finish than goes on and on. Impressive !
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