Winemaker Notes
Bing cherry meld together with redwood forest aromas on the nose. Smooth with soft tannins, the wine’s silky texture brings forth a palate full of juicy red berry fruits with hibiscus flower wrapped around decadent dark chocolate. Its elegant finish and balanced acidity make it a versatile food-pairing wine.
Enjoy with roasted pork tenderloin, or a grilled salmon with berry sauce.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Pinot Noir Russian River is medium ruby-purple with a nose of crunchy red fruits: fresh cranberry, Bing cherry, pomegranate liqueur and nuances of blackberry and black cherry plus notions of charcuterie, herbs and earth. Medium-bodied, it's very silky with spicy/herbal black fruits in the mouth and slightly gripping tannins with a concentrated finish
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Wine Spectator
Offers a rich, savory edge to the dark currant and dried raspberry flavors. Notes of underbrush show midpalate, with a mineral- and slate-filled finish.
Perhaps no other winery captures the casual luxury of Sonoma County better than Chalk Hill Estate. Founded nearly four decades ago, this spectacular 1300-acre property features 300 acres of vineyards, wilderness areas, winery, hospitality center, culinary garden, residence, stables, equestrian pavilion, sports fields, fishing and swimming ponds, and guest houses.
The winery's vineyards are thoughtfully woven through the native foliage and contoured to fit the intricate terrain. More than two-thirds of the Chalk Hill Estate remains uncultivated. The higher elevations offer stunning views of the Russian River Valley to the west and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east.
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.