Winemaker Notes
Decadent aromas of dark chocolate ganache complemented with strawberry rhubarb compote and whispering notes of cigar box and fresh cedar. Cascading layers of luscious dark cherry, fresh raspberries, and cranberry wrapped with soft notes of hibiscus tea, fresh earth, and warm cinnamon spice. An opulent and silky mouthfeel leads to an energetic mid-palate with bright acidity and elegant tannin structure. Remarkably expressive and commanding, this vintage leaves us with a resonating and mouth-watering finale.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A deep jeweled ruby/magenta hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley takes things to another level and is likely going to be just as impressive as the last release of 2019, as they made the difficult decision to skip the 2020 vintage due to the fires. On opening, it’s layered and refined on the nose, with notes of black raspberries, violets, dark mineral earth, and sweet cardamom spice. The palate boasts a luxurious silky and velvety texture that's completely seamless, with a long, outstanding finish. It will show its best in another 5-6 years. Drink 2027-2040.
Rating: 99+ -
Vinous
The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate is an elegant, luxurious wine. Plump and juicy but not at all heavy, the 2021 is wonderfully classy from start to finish. Succulent dark red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and a kiss of new French oak race across the palate. Silky tannins and bright acids frame the long, persistent finish nicely. There’s a bit more restraint in Michael Browne’s wines these days, and that’s not a bad thing at all. This mid-weight Pinot is terrific.
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.