Winemaker Notes
Heady aromas of ripe blackberry, mocha and cigar box, accented with light notes of thimbleberry, sandalwood and jasmine. Wild strawberry and raspberry flavors are elegantly woven with blood orange citrus, fresh earth, and subtle spice. Broad and pure, with a soft velvety texture, mouth-watering acidity and a long lasting, memorable finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A jeweled ruby color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley boasts a pretty and elegant nose with a refined feel to its aromatics of wild red cherries, focused incense, pure floral perfume, and rocky earth. The palate is pure and even and has a very elegant feel. In this vintage, this wine has all the components, pure spices, and a lot of clarity, with a long, floating finish.
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James Suckling
Brooding aromas of dark cherries, raspberry compote, dried strawberries and baking spices. The palate is medium-bodied with refined tannins and focused acidity, giving notes of blueberry bush, cedar and mocha. Quite bold, with a underlying freshness. Drink or hold.
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.