Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Pinot Noir Chenoweth Ranch is a Russian River cuvée of 1,284 cases. This sees a lot more new oak, at 70%, and a slightly higher percentage of whole-clusters/stems (15%). The Chenoweth Vineyard, which is seven acres in the cool, Green Valley, has produced a wine that displays a deep ruby/purple color, loads of raspberry and black cherry fruit, a hint of cola, baking spices and loamy soil undertones. The wine is lovely, medium to full-bodied, rich and complex. Look for it to drink well for up to a decade.
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Wine Enthusiast
This lovely, memorable wine from a fantastically farmed site is grippy in cherry and pomegranate with a backbone of integrated oak. Crunchy in texture, it shines in floral aromatics and a balanced body weight that's fruity and complex.
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Decanter
This is plush and polished, with fine French oak (about two-thirds new) lending an almost floral overtone of peony to the black and red cherry fruit on the nose. The palate is full and juicy, with ripe but fresh cherry, rich yet toned. Beautifully balanced.
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James Suckling
Fruit-forward style with lots of plum and berry character. A citrus undertone. Full body, integrated tannins and a focused and energetic finish. Drink or hold.
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.