Winemaker Notes
"This Pinot Noir shows great depth with wonderfully ripe black fruit aromas, a core of pure black cherry,
and delightful hints of mushroom, spice and forest floor. On the palate, the wine is viscous and silky, weighty yet exquisitely balanced, with a wealth of luscious wild berry and plumy flavors throughout a bright, persistent finish."
- Kenneth Juhasz, winemaker
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
There's a pleasant zestiness to the wild berry and red cherry fruit flavors, with ripe, spicy elements and a bit of peppery tobacco, cedar and fresh herb notes. Full-bodied, with good intensity that persists through the 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.