Winemaker Notes
Intense fruit and spice aromas combined with a layered texture are prevailing attributes of this Pinot Noir blend. Aromas of red fruits of plum and vine-ripened raspberry abound then give way to red plum, toasted brioche and allspice. On the palate, black fruits emerge uniting with
balanced acidity and fine-grained tannins that allows for mid-term cellaring. Unfined and unfiltered.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine represents a handful of stellar vineyards, including Martaella, Cohn and Zio Tony Ranch. It shines in tones of forest floor, dense black fruit and cardamom, with lifted acidity forming a cohesive whole. It all broadens into a long, well-integrated finish.
Editors' Choice -
Wine Spectator
A big, ripe style, with hints of black licorice to the well-structured black fruit flavors. Allspice and dark chocolate notes show on the dense finish. Drink now through 2025.
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.