Winemaker Notes
The Graham Family Vineyard is a premier winegrowing estate located in the Green Valley sub-appellation of the renowned Russian River Valley AVA. Founded in 2001 by Howard Graham, the vineyard boasts exceptional terroir, characterized by its deep layer of Gold Ridge sandy loam soil, unique water-holding capacity, and close proximity to the Pacific Ocean – just less than 10 miles away. This unique combination of soil and location, along with cooling ocean breezes, layers of fog, and ample sunshine, creates the ideal conditions for growing high-quality Pinot Noir.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Pillowy and persistent, the buoyant mouthfeel reveals savory elements of black plum, sandalwood, and soy sauce that extend along deep base notes of forest floor and salinity. The finish of espresso and black cherry is long and satisfying.
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Wine Enthusiast
Ripe, round cherry pie aromas waft from the glass of this decadent Russian River Pinot. The palate is bright and laser focused, with a juicy core of raspberry liqueur, orange blossom and zippy tangerine peel before an acid driven finale that lasts well over a minute.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Youthful ruby/magenta in hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard develops complexity on the nose, with notes of rose petals, ripe raspberries, licorice, and fresh rosemary. Medium-bodied, it gains in concentration and length on the palate, revealing ripe tannins, a graceful feel, and notes of earth and incense on the finish. Drink it over the coming 8-10 years.
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Wine Spectator
Bright, fresh and almost piercing notes of cherry and raspberry preserves are streamlined and racy in feel, with a gloss of singed vanilla and red licorice adding some bling to the pinpoint finish. Drink now through 2031.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2022 Domaine Della Graham Family Vineyard Pinot Noirs is tight-knit and rewarding. This wine shows aromas and flavors of savory spices, ripe black fruits, and mineral notes in its aromas and flavors. Enjoy it with rosemary and mint-accented pan-fried lamb chops. Tasted: October 23, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
A juicy, fruity and supple red with raspberries, wild strawberries and some wet stone on the nose. Medium-bodied with silky tannins and bright acidity. Crunchy and playful, with sour cherry character throughout and a juicy, fruity finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard is scented of boysenberry, blood orange, iron and potpourri. The palate balances concentrated fruit with spicy oak tones. It has a soft texture, mouthwatering acidity and a long, flavorful finish.
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.