Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A Pinot with grace, finesse and polish, with layers of smoky, creamy cherry cobbler flavors, right down to the crust. Elegant and polished, it keeps repeating the tantalizing flavors.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2004 Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch shows plenty of raspberry, soy, and fig notes along with hints of pomegranate and cherry. This spicy, full-bodied Pinot reveals nicely integrated oak, a savory, expansive palate, and a heady 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.