Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This dark-colored and ripe-tasting wine offers bold black cherries and dark plums over a full body and moderate tannins. It has the depth and power to pair well with steaks, chops and braises and can age well for a few years. Best through 2028.
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Wine Spectator
A plump, well-toasted style, featuring a core of fleshy plum and blackberry preserve flavors liberally laced with singed anise and black licorice notes. A sweet toast accent drapes over the finish. For fans of the style. Drink now through 2026. 1,050 cases made.
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.