Sequana Russian River Pinot Noir 2009
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2010-
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Winemaker and Pinot Noir specialist, James MacPhail, has complete control over the creation of Sequana's limited production wines – from farming to winemaking. He understands Pinot Noir's temperament, its ability to convey the signature of each single vineyard and its preference for restrained, gentle winemaking. He makes his Pinot Noirs by hand in small batches, using cold maceration and native yeasts. "My goal is to express each vineyard’s personality," says James.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.