Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Pure and precise and bursting with juicy young fruit, this wonderfully well-stuffed Pinot Noir achieves a degree of rarely seen varietal richness without resorting to out-of-bounds ripeness or more oak than is absolutely necessary. It is so rich and stridently fruity that its youthful firmness goes all but unnoticed, but make no mistake, it is structured for keeping as the finest wines are, and it promises to find further polish and grow that much more inviting if it is allowed to rest quietly for another half-dozen years.
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Wine Spectator
Spicy, earthy and vibrant, with wild berry, sage and herb notes. Finishes somewhat simpler in this grouping.—Kosta Browne non-blind vertical (March 2011). Drink now through 2018. 698 cases made.
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.