Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is so spicy, with crushed cloves, nettles and blue fruit. Sichuan spices, too. Full-bodied with juicy fruit and orange zest. Creamy and polished tannins. Wonderful depth and length. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Pinot Noir George Menini is a new bottling from Paul Hobbs. It has ringing tones of red and black cherries, blueberries and lavender on the nose and reveals accents of iodine, mossy bark and tobacco as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and fresh with a concentrated core of dark, broody fruit, generous earthy nuances and a very long, mouthwatering finish.
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Wine Spectator
Assertive, with a forthright beam of plum, cherry and mulberry pâte de fruit flavors that stretch out nicely, carried by filigreed acidity and inlaid with subtle incense, potpourri and black tea notes. The finish is underscored by a subtle mineral tinge. Best from 2024 through 2032.
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.