A.P. Vin Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir 2009
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Wine
Spectator
Product Details
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A rich, full-bodied style, featuring lots of spice, dried berry, plum and wild berry fruit that is slow to expand, but this gains depth and complexity as it does, keeping its focus. Drink now through 2018. 200 cases made.
Other Vintages
2007-
Wine
Spectator
While managing to keep his day job during production of the first few vintages of A.P. VIN, it was in 2005 that Andrew decided to fully dedicate himself and his career to his passion for creating unique wines. Shortly thereafter, Andrew moved his production and winemaking from Lompoc to San Francisco, where he could tend to the wines closer to his home.
Today, A.P. VIN produces approximately 2,000 cases of vineyard-designate pinot noir and is focused on making wines of the highest quality, which Andrew believes starts in the vineyard. From the vineyard and row locations to the farming style of each grower, every element adds nuances and subtleties that result in a superior wine.
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.