Winemaker Notes
Pairs well with blackened fish, lamb burgers, grilled portobello mushroom sandwich, and minestrone.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is tangy and fresh, with lively acidity carrying flavors of red cherry, cranberry and blueberry. Lifted tones of rose and white pepper counteract a full-bodied richness and complements the lushness of the fruit.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the Pinot Noirs, the appellation 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley spent 9 months in French oak. Its ruby color is followed by impressive notes of black raspberries, spiced black cherries, earth, and hints of incense. Rounded, supple, nicely concentrated, and with fine yet present tannins, this is a classic Pinot Noir that's going to keep for at least 7-8 years, possibly longer. Rating: 92+
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley opens with crushed stone, black cherries, cranberries, earth and hints of charcuterie and pepper. It’s medium-bodied with savory flavors, a grainy frame and seamless freshness, finishing long. 5,100 cases produced.
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.