Winemaker Notes
Ripe fruit flavors of strawberry, cherry and rhubarb are complemented by complex aromatic notes of allspice, cola and nutmeg. An extraordinarily rich mouthfeel with soft tannins gives way to an elegant finish.
Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile wines to pair with food. The fruity aromas and moderate tannins allow it to pair with a range of foods from roasted pork with herbs and fennel, coq au vin or an array of mild cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Earthy forest and pine meet a thistle of rose petal in this somewhat exotic full-bodied red made from multiple sites. Orange peel and strawberry define its fruitier components, alongside cola and a handful of toasted oak.
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Wine & Spirits
This is the first vintage for Pat Henderson as chief winemaker at Kenwood, who’s worked with Mike Lee, the firm’s founder, since 2003. Henderson crafted a friendly pinot with the zesty freshness of crushed strawberries and the sweet richness of cherry pie. Its soft, sandy tannins will add texture to roast duck.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Pinot Noirs are often the most difficult wines to critique. Burgundian, New World, individual, or marketplace targeted, one has to be open to the grape variety's many styles. The 2015 Kenwood Vineyards Six Ridges Pinot Noir is delicious and easy to enjoy. This wine does not need a sommelier's certificate to appreciate. TASTING NOTES: Grapey, ripe-fruited, and smooth, the amicability of this wine pairs it well with simply grilled, lightly seasoned lamb chops. (Tasted: May 10, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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.