Winemaker Notes
The impression of sleek, aristocratic elegance is just as captivating on the palate, where the wines filigree of gentle savory notes melts into its lovely array of red raspberry, wild strawberry, cherry and rose petal fruit. Seeming to grow both lighter in weight and more intense as it airs, this is going to be a truly memorable Pinot.
It deserves grand cuisine, preferably after several years in the cellar.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Bill Hunter also demonstrates a sure hand with Pinot Noir. The deep ruby-hued 2005 Pinot Noir Freestone Station (from Dijon clones 115, 777, and 23) boasts a striking chocolate, sweet cherry, spice, and floral-scented nose. It is an elegant, cool climate Pinot with loads of flesh, intense strawberry and black cherry fruit on the palate, and abundant glycerin as well as richness.
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Wine Spectator
Rich and complex, with a seductive mix of ripe plum, black cherry, light smoky oak and hazelnut flavors that are well-focused, supple and harmonious, ending with a long, persistent finish.
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.