Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2007 Pinot Noir Sexton Vineyard’s dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by aromas of sweet plums, black cherries, and Asian spices. Deep and full-bodied with a sensational texture, light tannins, and the distinctive forest floor and floral notes of high-class Pinot Noir, this attractive wine should evolve easily for 5-8 years.
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Wine Spectator
Ripe, complex and spicy, this is full-bodied and even delicate, with vibrant wild berry and raspberry fruit that's intense, balanced, full-bodied and framed by firm tannins, ending with a loamy earth and anise edge.
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.