Winemaker Notes
Chenoweth Ranch is planted to a mix of Dijon clones that deliver one of the juiciest, richest wines in our single vineyard lineup. Generous aromas of cinnamon, five spice powder, dried cranberry and licorice and damp forest floor leap from the glass. Dark chocolate, fresh lavender and cedar introduce supple, rich tannins that make for an exceptionally full, mouth filling, wine while maintaining a sleek purity. The 2018 will reward patient cellar aging, though, this wine’s immense charm will make it hard to resist.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a spicy, fruity and layered wine, intensely built from a vineyard-designated site the producer has been working with since 2004. Underlying acidity gives it a crispness that is bold and balanced, with lasting notes of earthy forest and black tea.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Pinot Noir Chenoweth Ranch comes from a 7-acre vineyard in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley. The aromatics lift with spice, fresh sage, and cherry lozenge. It has ample structure, with ripe tannins and persistent energy throughout.
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Wine Spectator
Contoured and structured, with dried cherry and berry flavors that are taut and backed by firm tannins. Features cedary accents in the midpalate that linger into the finish. Drink now through 2024. 1,165 cases made.
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.