Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A full-bodied pinot with loads of ripe berry and toasted oak that gives a chocolate and walnut undertone to the whole thing. It’s full-bodied, chewy and rather extracted but there is juicy ripe fruit at the finish. Drink in 2022.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine has a beautiful opening nose of rose petals and cardamom spice. The fresh, lean palate has balanced weight and elegance, showing flavors of raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate that are richly woven within a foundation of structure and grace.
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Wine Spectator
Creamy notes accent the red fruit and berry flavors, with mocha hints. The spicy finish glides across the palate. Drink now through 2023. 400 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.