Winemaker Notes
Aromas of dried cherries, rose and magnolia are interwoven with light vanilla coffee and hints of pine needle and resin. Juicy concentrated strawberry and cherry compote flavors on the front palate are balanced by a weightier yet elegant mid-palate. Hints of vanilla bean panna cotta leads to a lingering, mouthwatering finish with bright coastal acidity.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Brilliant, bright red and black fruit drives this well-structured wine. Moderate tannins and good acidity match the powerful, delicious fruit for great balance on a high level. Subtle oak spices are well-blended in.
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Wine Spectator
Juicy and friendly, with tasty, up-front plum and black cherry fruit lined with hints of potpourri and rose petal through the juicy finish. Reveals a spine of subtle singed wood. Drink now through 2029. 1,541 cases made.
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.