Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a youthful ruby hue with pure red cherries, cooling forest air, wet stones, wildflowers, and sweet tea leaf. Medium-bodied, with focused acidity, fine tannins, and refreshing charm, it should drink beautifully over the next 15 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
Rich and roasty aromas of spiced plum compote, fresh cherry, licorice, and cinnamon explode from the glass on the nose of this Pinot. The palate is concentrated and generous, with velvety tannins, juicy acidity, and flavors of cherry coulis, dark berries, rose petals, and cola spice humming throughout the finish.
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PinotReport
This classic, medium-bodied Russian River pinot is an approachable wine with flavors of cloves, cola and and dark chocolate-covered cherries. Juicy and delicious, with nice concentration and saturation on the palate and fine, long tannins. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
This is broad, with plum and cherry compote notes backed by anise and hibiscus. The gently toasted finish is generous in feel. A crowd-pleaser.
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.