Winemaker Notes
Always a crowd-pleaser in Eric Kent's Pinot roster, Stiling Vineyard produced some lovely raw materials to work with once again. Coming off of the dense and muscular 2015 vintage, the 2016 shows a more precise and energetic side of this massively popular Russian River favorite. While the wine is definitely the fullest-bodied Pinot the winery made this year, it maintains an alluring sense of balance -- and the team at EK thinks it’s one of the best yet.
All of the best aspects of this prime Russian River location and the famed Swan clone are on display: Loads of creamy, smoky, ripe Bing and black cherries dosed with warm baking spices (clove and nutmeg predominantly) and the typically long, satisfying Stiling finish. With such an abundance of flavor, structure and detail, the 2016 has something for everyone.
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.