Winemaker Notes
Brilliantly clear in the glass, the 2022 Russian River is dark and youthful, with purple hues on the rim. The nose has all the ripe strawberries and raspberries of the Gloria Estate Pinot, with the addition of an earthy component in the form of fresh loam and mint. The palate is full-bodied with firm tannins, bright acidity, and a long finish of beautifully ripe Green Valley Pinot Noir that lingers for several minutes.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A fresh and lively pinot noir with sliced strawberries and lemons on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Lots of energy and brightness for a Russian River pinot. Love the drinkability
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Vinous
The 2022 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is mostly from Gloria. Bold, punchy and super-expressive, 2022 has a lot to offer. Succulent dark cherry/plum fruit, lavender, spice, licorice and mocha are nicely pushed forward. There's gorgeous immediacy here. Pretty floral and spice notes brighten 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.