Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is pale to medium ruby-purple in color with a great intensity of crushed red currants, black cherries and black raspberry notes with nuances of roses, damp soil and cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with juicy red berry and baking spice layers, framed by plush tannins and great freshness, finishing long and perfumed. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 91+ -
Wine Enthusiast
This is an intensely earthy, soft and stemmy red, savory and exotic in black tea, cardamom and citrus undertones. On top, expect dark cherry compote and wisps of pomegranate within a medium-bodied ripeness of style.
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.