Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the reds, the 2016 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is the appellation blend of the estate and spent 15 months in 47% new French oak. Its vivid ruby color is followed by a great nose of black raspberries, mulled cherries, forest floor, and earth. It's medium to full-bodied, has a rounded, mouthfilling texture, terrific fruit, and a great finish. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2016 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is scented of tobacco leaf, smoke, dried leaves and dusty earth over savory black fruits with blue fruit nuances. Medium-bodied, it packs in the savory dark fruits in the mouth, framed by firm, grainy tannins and finishing long with earthy layers.
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.