Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Pure, ripe, vivid wild berry and blackberry fruit is intense, concentrated and complex, with great fruit definition, gaining depth and dimension on the long, persistent finish. Ends with grainy tannins.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2007 Pinot Noir Blank displays an opaque ruby/purple color, a hint of background oak, and blueberry and cherry aromas. Concentrated, dense, and intense with hints of spice box as well as high-class cigar tobacco, this big, rich, somewhat backward, but beautiful wine (from Dijon clones 777 and 115) will benefit from another year or so of bottle age, and drink well for 7-10 years.
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.