Winemaker Notes
Bursting with red cherry, dried cranberry, and strawberry jam, there is a fantastic depth and concentration, illuminated by wild sage. An elegant and subtle palate complements the electric texture that is underscored by fine tannins and a pleasing acidity. This wine continuously over-delivers.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill Vineyard evolves in the glass with dried cherry, sassafras, and wild herbs. It has impeccable concentration and length on the palate, which is full of cinnamon, red plum, and forest floor.
-
James Suckling
Fascinating notes of thyme and bay leaf to the crushed-stone and granite aromas and flavors. Resin and dried dark mushrooms. Dried flowers, too. Full-bodied with salted caramel and wet-earth undertones. Savory. Tight and reserved. Special.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill has a medium ruby color and bright aromas of Bing cherry, cranberry and citrus peel with accents of dried herbs, licorice and underbrush. The medium-bodied palate is grainy and fresh, with appealingly crunchy fruits and a long, spicy finish. Give it another year or two in bottle to unwind.
-
Wine Spectator
A very perfumed style, with lots of rose water, red tea and incense notes leading the way, backed by a racy-edged and focused core of blood orange and damson plum fruit. Sleek feel on the finish, with mesquite, mineral and savory details adding cut and length. A Pinot of a slightly different feather. Drink now
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.