Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
This is a cooler and later-ripening site, planted to an array of clones. Dried flowers and forest-wood aromas with leafy and sappy notes lead to a palate that has ripeness and lighter fruit flavors. Nicely detailed and very silky tannins and latent, rich blue-fruit flavors. Drink or hold.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Brought up in 45% new French oak, the 2017 Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill Vineyard reveals a medium ruby/translucent color as well as a complex bouquet of redcurrants, leafy herbs, damp earth, iodine, and spice. Medium to full-bodied, with an elegant texture, lots of classic Russian River spice, and outstanding length. it shows the more elegant streamlined style of the vintage, yet I suspect it's going to age gracefully. Give bottles 2-3 years and it should keep for a decade.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill was aged in several vessels: 31% new French oak, 19% wooden tanks, 20% concrete and 3% Austrian oak, from 10 to 16 months. Pale to medium ruby, it gives up friendly aromas of strawberry and raspberry jam, tangerine, tree bark and mushroom plus nuances of peppercorn, charcuterie and aniseed. Medium-bodied, it's earth-driven in the mouth with a sturdy framing of ripe tannins and just enough freshness on the long finish. This needs more time to come together in bottle.
Rating: 91+ -
Wine Spectator
Crushed mineral notes flank the zesty raspberry and red fruit flavors. The juicy finish features lively acidity and light spicy accents.
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.