Winemaker Notes
Deep red plum notes interwoven with bright cherry and mist of tangerine peel. Bursting cranberry and ripe black cherry are gracefully accented with freshly baked gingersnaps and vibrant flavors of blood orange citrus. Richly concentrated with layers of complexity and a luxurious texture of plush red velvet, complemented by seamlessly integrated tannins and balanced acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A darker ruby/magenta color, the 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley has the stamp of the man here and offers notes of pure cherry liqueur, cigar box, pine needles, and crushed flowers. Medium-bodied, it’s a crowd-pleaser and has all the classic notes of the Russian River Valley while keeping polished and pure. Drink 2025-2040.
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Wine Spectator
This sports a tasty core of punchy kirsch and damson plum notes backed by lively red tea and a hint of singed anise. The gently toasted finish lets the finish keep a little racy edge. Drink now through 2031.
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.