Winemaker Notes
The Zio Tony Ranch Pinot Noir has aromas of blackberry and kirsch, and flavors of spicy cherry cola and voluptuous vanilla blackberry flavors.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A rich, fleshy style that's intense, full-bodied and focused on a core of cola-laced black cherry, wild berry and black licorice galore that's deep, persistent and concentrated, long and intriguing.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Another impressive effort is the dark ruby-hued 2007 Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch. Sweet cherry, raspberry, and spice box as well as a mineral component are present in this dark ruby-colored wine. Full-bodied and nicely layered with good purity, depth, and equilibrium.
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.