Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The 2013 Pinot Noir La Pommeraie is a beauty. Côte de Beaune-like, with strawberry, cherry and sassafras notes making an appearance, this dark ruby-colored wine is medium to full-bodied and exhibits good ripeness, flesh and an authentic Pinot character. The wine has good spice and a long finish. This is my favorite of the three wines and should continue to drink well for 5-7 years.
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Wine Spectator
A pure, rich and focused red, with a core of dusty plum and black cherry flavors. Offers depth and nuances that gain persistence, with a lingering, detailed finish. Drink now through 2020.
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.