Winemaker Notes
The 2017 Zio Tony Ranch Pinot Noir has a sweet floral nose with aromas of cassis, boysenberry and red cherry. There is a great richness on the palate with flavors of red cherry, strawberry, and hints of orange peel.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch is scented of cinnamon stick and pie spice with warm blueberries and blackberries, black cherries, dusty earth, orange peel and dried flowers. Light to medium-bodied, the concentrated blue and black fruits segue into spicy nuance, framed by very fine, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and layered.
Rating: 94(+)
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.