Winemaker Notes
Revealing aromas of dark berry fruit, wild sage, and chaparral with pops of vine-ripened raspberry. Thoughtfully well-balanced with silken waves of boysenberry, black cherry, and an electric acidity that leads to a long-lasting mineral finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A lighter hue in the glass, this bottling from an iconic vineyard atop the heart of this Santa Barbara County appellation begins with aromas of crisp raspberry and geranium on the restrained nose. There’s a wet stone minerality to the palate, where berry-jam and citrus-rind flavors
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.