Winemaker Notes
Aromas of oyster shell and flowers mixed with dried roses and stone. Full body, velvety tannins, super depth and focus with a chewy texture.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of oyster shell and flowers. Stone. Dried roses. Full body, velvety tannins and super depth and focus. Chewy texture. Serious tannins yet so delicious. Better in 2019.
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Wine Spectator
Dense, rich and well-extracted, pulling out the supple charm of the grape's vivid berry, spice and earth notes. The fruit purity shines and sustains the flavors. Long and lingering on the aftertaste. Drink now through 2023.
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.