Winemaker Notes
This Russian River Valley Pinot Noir comes from the Nugent vineyard, planted in 1997 by Anne Moller-Racke and Joe Nugent. The natural variations in soil across the vineyard, along with the blend of Dijon and heritage clones, results in a complex wine, with richness from the 667 and elegance and finesse from the Pommard and Calera clones. Fog from the Pacific generally recedes fairly early in the day resulting in plenty of sun, but prevailing winds from the west keep this site cooler in the afternoon, allowing for extended hang time. Starting in 2012 we began to include some fruit from the Pommard block in the estate blend.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has a briary edge with notes of fresh forest earth, flowers, berries and wood, as well as graphite and spiced fruit bread. The palate has a beautifully composed and fresh array of fine, even tannins and a sense of sleek polish and composure with dark-cherry and berry flavors holding long. So plush and polished. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Winemaker Dan Fishman says, "2017 was a challenge. It took more blending than I'm used to, though I don't really think it hurt the wine too much. It was just a lot of stress." Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Estate has a very pretty nose of dried rose petals and violet, moss-covered bark, cranberry, pomegranate and Earl Grey tea leaves with meaty and saline touches. Light to medium-bodied, it offers spicy, perfumed intensity with a firm frame of fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity, finishing very long and fragrant.
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Wine Spectator
Powerful and well-knit, with loamy richness to the dark cherry, dried fig and plum tart flavors, backed by fresh acidity and firm tannins. Tar and allspice notes emerge on the broad-textured finish. Drink now through 2024.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The appellation 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is outstanding, and while I can’t say it represents a good value, it’s a terrific Pinot Noir with lots of character. Gamey herbs, spice, forest floor, and floral notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, beautifully balanced Pinot that has nicely integrated acidity, fine tannins, and a great finish. Drink it over the coming 5-7 years.
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.