Winemaker Notes
This extraordinary single vineyard Pinot Noir gives an immediate impression of depth and concentration in the glass, with remarkably explosive aromas of boysenberry, blueberry, and all spice. This 2021 vintage of La Pommeraie Pinot Noir is unusually elegant and lifted aromas with fine-polished tannins and an exceptionally vibrant but balanced acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A good, deep core of black cherries drives this full-bodied and moderately tannic wine before it throws off cloves, wet stones, cedar and mushroom nuances with continued sips. It's well structured for pairing with roast birds or sauteed mushrooms.
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Wine Spectator
A lively red, with a mix of singed sandalwood, iris, potpourri and black tea notes infusing a core of succulent cherry and mulberry fruit. Everything knits together wonderfully through the focused finish.
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.