Winemaker Notes
This is the name (meaning "Russian") of Maritana's Russian River Valley Pinot Noir blend of vineyards.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Pinot Noir Le Russe was matured in 75% new French oak. It is alluringly earthy, with scents cranberry, woodsmoke, oolong tea and forest floor. The light-bodied palate is bursting with perfumed fruit! It has tremendous spicy accents, a structural harmony of chalky tannins and energetic acidity and a long, spicy finish.
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James Suckling
Aromas of redcurrants, cherries, cola, nutmeg and flowers. Medium-to full-bodied with soft tannins. Juicy and fruity with a silky, caressing texture and a flavorful finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
A cuvée of several sites, including Martaella, Jenkins and Martinelli River Road, this wine shows a spectrum of fine flavor and sinewy texture. Cherry cola and spicy perfume accent its medium-bodied lushness and refined richness.
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.