Winemaker Notes
A seductive and classic bottling that encompasses everything a great Pinot Noir should be: rich, concentrated fruit on the nose reminiscent of red fruits like raspberries and cherries, complemented by the toasty spices contributed by the premium oak, reminiscent of cinnamon, clove, sassafras and vanilla. The balance, complexity and nice acidity augur a long life.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Pinot Noir Cristina Don Miguel Vineyard is more complex and detailed, with a hint of minty spice in its notes of leather, redcurrant, and fresh flowers. It displays a lovely balance between elegant and savory, with forest floor, raspberry, incense, and porcini. It’s a classic wine to drink 2024-2032.
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Wine Spectator
Shows ripeness and freshness, with gently steeped raspberry and blackberry notes laced with red tea and savory hints. All the components knit together nicely through the mineral-accented 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.