96 Points Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from all Goldridge soils, the 2023 Pinot Noir Ryan is from Martini and Calera selections and incorporates 20% whole clusters. Its herbaceous character leans toward a slightly more rustic edge, the nose opening to notes of ripe cherries, mossy earth, and crushed flowers. Medium to full-bodied, the palate takes on more concentration and has a lovely richness, ripe tannins, and classic Russian River character with a hint of warmth. Drink 2026-2040.
96 Points James Suckling
Warm and rich in dark fruit flavors, with a broad texture and a full body that make this bottling easy to enjoy now. Red and black cherries, dark plums, baking spices, broad tannins and a lingering, fruity finish. Drink or hold.
95+ Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir Ryan comes mainly from vines planted in 1984 in the Dutton-Widdoes Vineyard, plus 20% from the Dutton-Jentoft Vineyard, planted in 2007. Grapes were harvested on October 2 and 5, and the wine was matured for 15 months in 34% new French oak. The nose is bursting with pure scents of pomegranate, blackberries, mossy bark, cedar and pipe tobacco. The full-bodied palate is sapid and spicy! Its intense, expressive flavors are structured by chalky tannins and vibrant acidity, and it has a long, layered finish. It unfolded dramatically for several days after being opened and will benefit from time in the cellar. 95+
From Winemaker Andy Smith
For long term customers and myself, our 2023 Ryan is a throwback to the early days of DuMOL. The wine has an old school Russian River Valley style that calls upon a lineage dating back to our first vintage of Ryan in 2002. Centered upon the old vines at Dutton-Widdoes Vineyard, it’s infused with wild berry sweetness, truffle-y complexity, satiny texture and supple tannins that seem to wrap you up. That’s old-school, classic DuMOL. It has greater volume and opulence but lower acidity than our coastal wines, and its deep fruitiness ensures this wine will drink beautifully on release. Make no mistake, however: there’s complexity and buried potential underneath this comforting deliciousness, and the wine can age twelve years in bottle without issue.
Aromas and flavors akin to cranberry and rhubarb quickly segue into tiny dark wild berries, kirsch liqueur, violet, anise, and sweet mint. The fruit is succulent, broad and enveloping. The wine’s structure is supple and mellow and carries the wine to a rising finish of sweet truffle and black tea. Drink between 2025 and 2035.
