Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
There are 5500 cases of the 2015 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley and it’s a deeply colored, ripe, sexy, beast of an appellation wine that’s as good, or better, then several of the single vineyards. Black raspberries, cassis, roasted herbs, violets, and loads of toasted spice give way to a full-bodied, beautifully textured 2015 that has sweet tannin and a great finish. It's already drinking beautifully but should keep nicely on its balance and purity.
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James Suckling
The bright fruit and hints of citrus come through clearly in this wine on the nose. Medium to full body, linear fine tannins and a fresh citrusy backbone of acidity. Lively.
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Wine Spectator
Lightly perfumed floral and raspberry scents gain depth, weight and dimension, layering blackberry, raspberry, spice and sandy earth notes that are agreeable and refined.
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.