Winemaker Notes
Maritana Vineyards second vintage of Jenkins Ranch Pinot Noir and it seems to get better each time they work with these grapes. Hints of the Pinot Perfume they continue to pursue are already present and the bright berry notes laced with vanillin and spice make it an obvious choice for additional cellaring.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Pinot Noir Jenkins Ranch was matured for 15 months in 80% new oak. It has detailed scents of raspberry, strawberry, blood orange and lilac, becoming more nuanced as it airs in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is bursting with concentrated, perfumed fruit. It has fine, chalky tannins, bright acidity and a long finish with alluring spicy accents.
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.