Winemaker Notes
With fresh, ripe red fruits, layers of cranberry, cherry fruit and spice with distinct earth notes. Lively on the palate, with silky tannins that give way to a balanced density, with continued layers of forest floor, strawberry preserves, and herbaceous complexity.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of dark fruit, wild raspberries, dark cherries, cassia bark and citrus peel. The palate is medium-bodied with a creamy texture and fine tannins supported by bright and focused acidity. A nice balance of freshness and ripeness, with generous drinkability.
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.