Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Lots of sanguine and hot stone notes accent the dried fruit and savory spice flavors. Espresso details show on the finish, with cedary hints. Drink now through 2023.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Cuvée Sauvage Pinot Noir is a true-to-type, bona fide example of the grape variety. Not made to dominate, this wine is allowed to be what it is supposed to be. TASTING NOTES: This wine is balanced and true. Its aromas and flavors of dried earth, ripe fruits, and savory spices should pair it well with stirred-fried chicken with morels. (Tasted: July 25, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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.