Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
With more than 50 years of history, David Bruce has become an iconic name when it comes to Pinot Noir. Grapes from the winery’s Russian River Valley estate are used for this spicy, elegant red, with cherry and plum notes well-defined in a silky body. Cinnamon and orange peel extend from middle to end with an underscore of espresso bean.
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Wine Enthusiast
This has a lovely array of baking spice and cola on the palate, framed in earthy freshness and energetic red fruit. Structured in firm, supportive tannins, it offers length and plenty of power that tastes fruit forward and complex.
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Wine Spectator
This lengthens out nicely, featuring a mix of dried berry and cherry flavors that are flanked by robust savory and spice notes. Firmly structured, with a taut finish that offers graphite hints. Drink now through 2022.
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.