Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Extremely opulent and vivid on the nose with blackberry, blueberry and flower. Full body, velvety tannins and wonderful energy. Vivid and powerful. Real Russian River pinot with a modern clarity.
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Wine Spectator
Dark, rich and vivid, with anise-shaded blackberry, licorice, berry pie, sweet plum and cherry notes that coat the palate and fan out gracefully. Has the substance and drive to further excite and reward. 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.