Inman Family Russian River Pinot Noir 2008
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Kathleen grew up in Napa, CA and moved to England with her husband in 1983. In 1998 she returned to CA to start her vineyard and winery. Inman was officially established in 2000. In September 2010, Inman Family Wines opened a tasting room at the new, ecofriendly winery at Olivet Grange Vineyard, in the heart of Sonoma County’s beautiful Russian River Valley. A commitment to organic gardening, recycling and treading lightly on the environment has been a central tenant in Kathleen’s personal philosophy. Kathleen’s goal is to grow grapes and make wines as naturally as possible, with as little human intervention as possible, to ensure they embody not only the pure personality of the grapes from which they’re made, but also the singular character of the place where they’re born while at the same time making the smallest impact possible on the land, water and air around us. Inman produces about 4000 cases annually.
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.