Martinelli Bella Vigna Pinot Noir 2017
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
This adequate amount of rain at the appropriate time led to favorable conditions for bloom, which resulted in an even fruit-set and good vine balance. Summer temperatures were cooler, which allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and develop deeper flavors. The weather held steady through harvest allowing us to pick the fruit at optimum maturity levels, resulting in wines full of finesse and intensity.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is an earthy and fresh varietal wine, with a surprising level of density and weight. Dark berry fruit and baking spice combine across a seamless palate of integrated tannin and oak, ending with a jammy richness that satisfies.
Other Vintages
2016-
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The Martinelli Family has been growing grapes and making wine in the Russian River Valley since the late 1880s. As 6th generation stewards of some of the finest vineyards in the region, they're proud to continue this legacy of hands-on farming, bringing decades of experience to everything they do.
Their primary goal has always been hand-crafting quality wines that are born in their estate vineyards. All of their grapes are Estate grown, allowing them to use only their favorite blocks for each vineyard designated wine. They have a commitment to quality and have never offered for sale a wine that they felt did not live up to the reputation and expectations of its label. They also try to maintain a sense of consistency with each vintage, while still allowing the true nature of the vineyard to shine through. These wines are limited production and each vineyard is hand farmed very carefully, producing only the finest quality fruit.
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.