Balletto Winery Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2012
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Connoisseurs'
Guide
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
In the mouth, the brambly fruit aromas reappear and are surrounded by a perfect viscosity that has plenty of weight without going over the top. A crisp acidity keeps the wine lively and intertwines nicely with the structure. Its full across the palate with fine, coco-like tannins and a nice dose of astringency that lends additional grip and structure to this wine. Overall, the wine has struck the fine balance between delicate and structured, and will improve with bottle aging during the next three to five years (or more). It is undeniably Pinot Noir grown and made to be distinct, elegant and delicious.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Burgundy in color, this soft, lush wine opens with seductive red berry fruit before delving into a velvety texture and forest floor earthiness. There’s a luxurious quality to this wine, shockingly fair priced, amid enviable structure and balance. On the finish, there’s a fine leathery coating on the tongue.
-
Connoisseurs' Guide
A touch undersized in volume, yet nicely focused on lithe and lively red cherry fruit with a kiss of creamy oak in support, this balanced effort makes a smooth, somewhat supple passage from start to finish and never loses sight of its varietal allegiance. There could be some who find it a little lacking in size and sheer muscle, but we are more than happy to enjoy its buoyancy and its very clear and constant expression of Pinot Noir character.
Other Vintages
2019-
Wilfred
Wong
-
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine &
Spirits
-
Wine &
Spirits -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine &
Spirits -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine
Enthusiast
The Balletto Family has over 600 acres in the Russian River Valley and select 10% from many different clones and soil types to make their wine. They feel fortunate to sell the remaining 90% of their grapes to other wineries. In July 2010, the Balletto Family was honored being awarded the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year.
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.