Winemaker Notes
This Russian River Valley Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with many rustic foods, such as grilled Portobello mushrooms, smoked country ham, or savory duck confit braised in this wine.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
It's hard to imagine a better Pinot for drink right now. It's so rich and spicy offering tiers of raspberry and cherry preserves, ripe Christmas persimmons and pomegranates, and a delicious coating of smoky new oak. The tannin-acid balance is perfect.
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Tasting Panel
Rich and juicy with deep cherry and savory flavors; ripe, earthy and balanced with lovely texture and a long, intense 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.