Winemaker Notes
Crafted from up to 100 individual small lots, the appealing 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir captures the classic characteristics of this renowned variety and region. Deeply layered and velvet-smooth, offering notes of perfectly ripe blackberry, black cherry, dark plum and cranberry that blend with hints of toast, spice, lavender and rose. Rich oak sweetness characteristics feature on the midpalate, while soft tannins add intriguing texture. Bright and refreshing on the finish.
Enjoy this Pinot Noir alongside grilled salmon tacos with blackberry salsa, or a tangy chevre with honeycomb and cranberry preserve.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A leafy aroma, carrots and celery flavors merge beautifully with fresh raspberry and red cherry notes in this well-balanced, fresh-tasting and nicely tangy wine. The fruit notes seem to grow riper and richer with each sip, and linger on the finish.
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James Suckling
An energetic pinot with bright sliced strawberry and citrus character. Some mineral. Medium body. Vivid and focused.?
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Wine Spectator
Ripe and lush in feel, offering a seductive, caressing display of raspberry and mulberry fruit laced with black tea and singed anise notes. A subtle sheen of toast lets the fruit keep the upper hand on the finish. A super fan-friendly version. Drink now through 2030. 14,000 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.