“Vintage 2021 is one for the ages and—without exaggeration—I consider it a personal winegrowing highlight with several career-defining wines.” – Andy Smith, DuMOL Winemaker, Viticulturist & Partner

It’s always an exciting time when we’re preparing an offering of allocated DuMOL wine for the Mayacama membership.

Few names resonate more with the Club’s past and present, and with Andy Smith still steering the ship, DuMOL’s future could not look any brighter.

The 2021 vintage is an absolute triumph for Sonoma County Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. From the very first tastings out of tank and barrel, critics and connoisseurs have been gushing over the fantastic quality of wine produced from this ideal growing season.

No real heat spikes or frost events played a factor in 2021. We had relatively warm weather in the early part of the year which resulted in bud break arriving slightly earlier than anticipated. Summer was cooler, which allowed for gradual and even ripening and an eventual harvest that was on the later side by today’s standards.

The 2021 vintage for Sonoma County Pinot Noir provides muscular wines with a potent nature. We’re experiencing lots of wines with darker fruit profiles and lovely textural depth. These are wines to tuck away in the cellar and enjoy later down the line.

It’s an absolute honor for me to do what I do here for the membership at Mayacama. Living and working in Sonoma County allows me to research, study, and procure world class wines that come directly from the source, and so I couldn’t be happier with what we’ve put together for you here today.

Those who are familiar with the winemaking side of the industry would certainly agree that Andy Smith is, and has been, producing some of the top Sonoma County Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bottlings under the DuMOL label since coming on full-time as winemaker in 2000.

Famed wine critic Antonio Galloni (Vinous Media) recently named DuMOL’s 2021 MacIntyre Pinot Noir as Wine of the Year for 2023.

"As soon as I started tasting the 2021 (DuMOL) Pinot Noirs this past January, I knew it was a special vintage. The wines were aromatically intense, deep, layered and beautifully balanced,” said Galloni.

And while we cannot offer you the MacIntyre Pinot Noir today, we have been allocated 3 separate bottlings, all coming to you directly from, and in collaboration with, DuMOL Winery.

Today’s Mayacama Wine Offer, and the first of 2024, provides members with access to the following 2021 DuMOL wines…

2021 Chardonnay, “Chloe,” Russian River Valley – “Aromas of tangerine, orange and honey are offset with flint, mint, and oyster shell notes. The wine is deep, intense, long and focused with great volume. Layered flavors akin to peach, nectarine, and candied ginger build through the palate. There’s an oily texture that’s cut by vibrant acidity and the finish lingers with fine detail and enveloping power.” 94 Points (James Suckling, March 21, 2023)

2021 Chardonnay, “Isobel,” Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast – “Classic Heintz aromas that are simultaneously exotic and focused: ginger and honey; lemongrass and sweet mint; chamomile and sea spray. Intense lemon and lime oil dominate the flavors with green apple and taut minerals. The texture is deep and layered with tremendous volume and fruit extract. The wine’s vibrant acidity lifts this richness adding tension and freshness. Long echo of savory botanical intensity and lingering flinty edge.” 98 Points (The Wine Advocate, June 2023)

2021 Pinot Noir, “Ryan,” Russian River Valley – “The aromatics highlight the essence of our coastal Green Valley environment: wild berries, thyme, spearmint, truffle, and freshly tilled soil. The wine is poised, vibrant and dynamic with a dark fruit pastille core then cherry, licorice, and briary notes. Concentrated and deep but always bright and quite tight knit with drawn out length and fresh focusing acidity on a spicy finish.” 97 Points (The Wine Advocate, June 2023)

There are limited amounts of each wine and so if you are interested, I encourage you to act quickly.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding the wines.

Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!

Carey Vanderborg, Wine Director

WINES BEING OFFERED:

2021 Chardonnay, “Chloe,” Russian River Valley - $75/btl 

2021 Chardonnay, “Isobel,” Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast - $85/btl

2021 Pinot Noir, “Ryan,” Russian River Valley - $100/btl

Learn more about these wines here.