Winemaker Notes
This lovely Pinot Noir shows aromas of warm strawberries, baking spices, toasted grains and a touch of rhubarb. On the palate, the texture is round, soft, and plush at entry, with fruit and toasty vanilla flavors tightly integrated. Bright fresh berry flavors endure throughout the palate, with a fresh, crisp finish. The coastal origins of this wine are hinted at with the very slightly saline notes at the entry and again at the finish.
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.