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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James Suckling
A very pretty red with dried strawberry, earth, balsamic, and meat aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with very polished tannins and a juicy finish. Flower stem at the end. So drinkable now.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Pinot Noir Le Russe, matured for 15 months in 80% new oak, is scented of cranberries, blackberries, woodsmoke and potpourri with spicy undertones. The light-bodied palate is softly chalky and refreshing, with generous, spicy fruit and a long finish.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Sonoma County's Russian River Valley is home to some of the world's top Pinot Noirs, and the wine is an excellent example; the 2020 Maritana Le Russe Pinot Noir shows lovely richness and purity. This wine offers aromas and flavors of chalky notes, a hint of minerality, and fragrant spices. Try it with lightly spiced, rosemary-accented, pan-fried lamb chops. (Tasted: September 26, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Spectator
This has a slightly languid feel, with hints of maturity creeping in on the edges in the form of potpourri and sandalwood, while the core of red cherry and raspberry fruit has threads of mulling spices and sous-bois. Reveals a late sanguine twinge that lets the finish linger prettily. Drink now through 2028. 1,500 cases made.
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.