Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Connoisseurs' Guide
Possessing such a wealth of juicy, well-focused cherry-like fruit that this wine would garner enthusiastic recommendation and a tip of the hat for fine value on its fruity virtues alone, Migration’s basic appellation offering is a surprisingly serious Pinot Noir with the depth and careful construction of upper-echelon offerings. It is clean and constant with impeccable varietal focus and layered richness to spare, and, as very good, generously fruited Pinots are wont to do, it is certain to tempt early drinking even though its best lies some five or six years ahead. GOOD VALUE.
-
Wine Enthusiast
This wine has lovely, inviting aromas of baking spice and earth. Full-bodied flavors of blueberry and raspberry are supported by spicy oak. Its boldness and density is met by fresh cranberry, while a tease of vanilla complements the other characteristics.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2014 Migration Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is one of the best values in the marketplace and exceeds the quality of most Pinots from the region in the $40 to $50 range. The wine shows a combination of dark fruits and sage-like flavors. Full and concentrated from start to finish, it invites a pairing with braised meats. Drinks well now. (Tasted: November 3, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
-
Tasting Panel
Smooth, bright and juicy with black cherry and racy acidity; balanced and long with fresh style
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.